Carotid-Falciform Optic Neuropathy: Microsurgical Treatment

M. Neil Woodall, Cargill Herley Alleyne

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Several recent reports have implicated vascular ectasia and vessel contact in dysfunction of the visual apparatus. A subset of patients with prechiasmatic visual deterioration have an ectatic internal carotid artery (ICA) that displaces and flattens the optic nerve (ON) rostrally as the ON exits the skull base. We describe a proposed pathophysiologic mechanism and a straightforward surgical technique for dealing with this problem. Methods Via an ipsilateral pterional craniotomy, the bony roof of the optic canal is removed. The falciform ligament is opened in parallel to the ON. Adhesions between the ICA and ON are then dissected, and a Teflon pledget is placed between the ICA and ON to complete the decompression. Results Patients both in the literature and in this series experienced an improvement in their vision postoperatively. Conclusions We propose that 3 mechanisms contribute to this caroticofalciform optic neuropathy: 1) mass effect from ICA ectasia, 2) ON irritation from vessel pulsatility, and 3) indirect compression by the falciform ligament from above. This disease process can be treated safely using standard microsurgical techniques with excellent outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)372-375
Number of pages4
JournalWorld Neurosurgery
Volume104
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2017

Keywords

  • Carotid artery ectasia
  • Falciform ligament
  • Microvascular decompression
  • Optic nerve
  • Optic neuropathy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Clinical Neurology

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