Jf. Acheson et al., OPTIC-NERVE SHEATH DECOMPRESSION FOR THE TREATMENT OF VISUAL FAILURE IN CHRONIC RAISED INTRACRANIAL-PRESSURE, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 57(11), 1994, pp. 1426-1429
The records of all patients undergoing optic nerve sheath decompressio
n for visual failure in chronic raised intracranial pressure performed
over a 15 year period have been reviewed. The aim was to study the vi
sual outcome and relation to any shunting procedures. Fourteen patient
s (20 eyes) were identified in whom follow up information of at least
one year was available. Eleven patients had benign intracranial hypert
ension (idiopathic intracranial hypertension) and three had dural veno
us sinus occlusive disease. Eight patients had unilateral surgery and
six had bilateral surgery. Visual acuity and fields either improved or
stabilised in 17 out of 20 eyes and three deteriorated. Of the eight
patients undergoing unilateral surgery, the other eye remained stable
in seven and deteriorated in one. Four patients required optic nerve s
heath decompression despite previous shunting or subtemporal decompres
sion. Five patients required shunts or subtemporal decompression after
optic nerve sheath decompression because of persistent headache in th
ree cases and for uncontrolled visual failure in two cases. No patient
s lost vision as a direct consequence of surgery. It is concluded that
optic nerve sheath decompression is a safe and important therapeutic
option in the management of chronic raised intracranial pressure compl
icated by visual loss. Vision can be saved after shunt failure, and in
other cases may be maintained without the need for a shunt, Shunts ma
y still be required, however, after optic nerve sheath decompression,
especially for persistent headache.