Biomaterial Database

Optic nerve decompression in osteopetrosis. 1988

O Al-Mefty, and J L Fox, and N Al-Rodhan, and J H Dew

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson.

Osteopetrosis is a rare disorder characterized by generalized increased skeletal density with abnormalities of bone modeling. The skull base is usually involved. Loss of vision with optic nerve atrophy is the most common neurological finding and is traditionally believed to be the result of optic nerve compression within the compromised optic canal. However, retinal degeneration has recently been described and is hypothesized to be the etiology of the visual loss (thus challenging the value of surgical decompression). The authors report their experience with six children suffering from osteopetrosis and severe visual loss. All six patients underwent bilateral microsurgical optic nerve decompression through a supraorbital craniotomy. Improvement in visual acuity occurred postoperatively in five patients, and none had complications. Two technical points are emphasized: 1) optic nerve decompression should be wide and include not only unroofing of the canal but also drilling along both sides of the optic nerve, and 2) the thick, irregular, and highly domed orbital roof should be smoothed down by high-speed drilling to facilitate surgical exposure with minimal retraction of the frontal lobe.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009896	Optic Atrophy	Atrophy of the optic disk which may be congenital or acquired. This condition indicates a deficiency in the number of nerve fibers which arise in the RETINA and converge to form the OPTIC DISK; OPTIC NERVE; OPTIC CHIASM; and optic tracts. GLAUCOMA; ISCHEMIA; inflammation, a chronic elevation of intracranial pressure, toxins, optic nerve compression, and inherited conditions (see OPTIC ATROPHIES, HEREDITARY) are relatively common causes of this condition.	Atrophy, Optic
D009900	Optic Nerve	The 2nd cranial nerve which conveys visual information from the RETINA to the brain. The nerve carries the axons of the RETINAL GANGLION CELLS which sort at the OPTIC CHIASM and continue via the OPTIC TRACTS to the brain. The largest projection is to the lateral geniculate nuclei; other targets include the SUPERIOR COLLICULI and the SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEI. Though known as the second cranial nerve, it is considered part of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Cranial Nerve II,Second Cranial Nerve,Nervus Opticus,Cranial Nerve, Second,Cranial Nerves, Second,Nerve, Optic,Nerve, Second Cranial,Nerves, Optic,Nerves, Second Cranial,Optic Nerves,Second Cranial Nerves
D010022	Osteopetrosis	Excessive formation of dense trabecular bone leading to pathological fractures; OSTEITIS; SPLENOMEGALY with infarct; ANEMIA; and extramedullary hemopoiesis (HEMATOPOIESIS, EXTRAMEDULLARY).	Albers-Schoenberg Disease,Marble Bone Disease,Osteosclerosis Fragilis,Albers-Schonberg Disease,Albers-Schonberg Disease, Autosomal Dominant,Albers-Schönberg Disease,Autosomal Dominant Osteopetrosis Type 2,Congenital Osteopetrosis,Marble Bones, Autosomal Dominant,Osteopetrosis Autosomal Dominant Type 2,Osteopetrosis, Autosomal Dominant 2,Osteopetrosis, Autosomal Dominant, Type II,Osteosclerosis Fragilis Generalisata,Albers Schoenberg Disease,Albers Schonberg Disease,Albers Schonberg Disease, Autosomal Dominant,Albers Schönberg Disease,Disease, Albers-Schoenberg,Disease, Albers-Schonberg,Disease, Albers-Schönberg,Disease, Marble Bone,Osteopetroses,Osteosclerosis Fragilis Generalisatas
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014786	Vision Disorders	Visual impairments limiting one or more of the basic functions of the eye: visual acuity, dark adaptation, color vision, or peripheral vision. These may result from EYE DISEASES; OPTIC NERVE DISEASES; VISUAL PATHWAY diseases; OCCIPITAL LOBE diseases; OCULAR MOTILITY DISORDERS; and other conditions (From Newell, Ophthalmology: Principles and Concepts, 7th ed, p132).	Hemeralopia,Macropsia,Micropsia,Day Blindness,Metamorphopsia,Vision Disability,Visual Disorders,Visual Impairment,Blindness, Day,Disabilities, Vision,Disability, Vision,Disorder, Visual,Disorders, Visual,Hemeralopias,Impairment, Visual,Impairments, Visual,Macropsias,Metamorphopsias,Micropsias,Vision Disabilities,Vision Disorder,Visual Disorder,Visual Impairments
D014792	Visual Acuity	Clarity or sharpness of OCULAR VISION or the ability of the eye to see fine details. Visual acuity depends on the functions of RETINA, neuronal transmission, and the interpretative ability of the brain. Normal visual acuity is expressed as 20/20 indicating that one can see at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. Visual acuity can also be influenced by brightness, color, and contrast.	Acuities, Visual,Acuity, Visual,Visual Acuities