Optic canal decompression with transcranial approach for the treatment of optic nerve injury

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and imaging feature of traumatic optic nerve injury,and to investigate the effect of microsurgery on optic nerve injury.Method Seventeen patients with optic nerve injury were retrospectively analyzed who treated with microsurgery of optic canal decompression with transcranial approach.The time from injury to surgery,the fracture of optic nerve canal,the change of optic nerve after injury was observed.The change of visual acuity before operation and 6-month following-up after operation was also observed .Results The incidence of fracture of optic nerve canal was 100%.The time from injury to surgery was 4 hours to 7 days.Three methods were used:11 patients were performed with pterional approach,4 with subfmntal approach,and 2 with supraorbital burr hole approach.Visual acuity was improved at 6 months after operation,and there was no severe complication.Conclusions Optic canal decompression with transcranial approach is effective for traumatic optic nerve injury.It is useful for injured optic nerve to decompress adequately and to avoid secondary damage.