Effect of orbital decompression surgery on the choroidal profile in patients with thyroid eye disease.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of orbital wall decompression surgery and reduction of proptosis on the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED). Fifty-one eyes from 38 patients with controlled TED and proptosis were enrolled in this study. The majority of the patients (50.9%) had a clinical activity score (CAS) of zero, and none had a CAS greater than 2. The patients underwent a complete baseline ophthalmologic examination, and their choroidal profile alterations were monitored using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) before and during the three months after surgery. Changes in SFCT, luminance area (LA), total choroidal area (TCA), and the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were measured as the ratio of LA to TCA in EDI-OCT images. The participants had an average age of 46.47 years, and 22 were female (57.9%). The SFCT of the patients exhibited a significant reduction over the follow-up period, decreasing from 388 ± 103 to 355 ± 95 µm in the first month (p < 0.001) and further decreasing to 342 ± 109 µm by the third month compared to baseline (p < 0.001). The CVI exhibited a drop from 0.685 ± 0.037 at baseline to 0.682 ± 0.035 and 0.675 ± 0.030 at 1 and 3 months post-surgery, respectively. However, these changes were not statistically significant, indicating comparable decreases in both LA and TCA. There was a significant correlation between improved proptosis and reduction in SFCT (p < 0.001) but not with CVI (p = 0.171). In conclusion, during the three months of follow-up following orbital wall decompression, CVI did not change, while SFCT reduced significantly. Additionally, SFCT was significantly correlated with proptosis reduction, whereas CVI was not.

Endoscopically managed giant frontoethmoidal osteoma with orbital extension.

A patient in his 20s presented with a change in the appearance of his left eye with evidence of relative afferent pupillary defect. Imaging revealed a giant frontoethmoidal osteoma, a benign sinonasal tumour, invading three-quarters of the orbit. Multidisciplinary discussion involving opthalmology, maxillofacial surgery, neurosurgery and otolaryngology resulted in the decision to attempt entirely endoscopic excision of this lesion, which was performed with successful outcomes. This case demonstrates how a sinonasal osteoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis for a patient presenting with proptosis or other eye signs suggestive of compression of the orbital compartment. This case report and literature review highlights the possibility of managing giant sinonasal osteomas with orbital extension through a completely endoscopic approach.

Predictive factors of the postoperative proptosis recovery in surgery of spheno-orbital meningiomas.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify factors affecting proptosis recovery in spheno-orbital meningioma (SOM) surgery and assess functional and oncological outcomes. METHODS: Data from 32 consecutive SOM surgery cases (2002-2021) were analyzed. Clinical, radiological, operative, and oncological parameters were examined. Proptosis was assessed using the exophthalmos index (EI) on MRI or CT scans. Statistical analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for proptosis recovery. RESULTS: Proptosis improved in 75% of patients post-surgery (EI decreased from 1.28 ± 0.16 to 1.20 ± 0.13, p = 0.048). Patients with stable or worsened EI had higher body mass index (28.5 ± 7.9 vs. 24.1 ± 4.7, p = 0.18), Simpson grade (IV 75% vs. 65%, p = 0.24), and middle sphenoid wing epicenter involvement (63% vs. 38%, p = 0.12), but no significant factors were associated with unfavorable exophthalmos outcomes. The improvement group had higher en plaque morphology, infratemporal fossa invasion, and radiation treatment for cavernous sinus residual tumor (88% vs. 75%, p = 0.25; 51% vs. 25%, p = 0.42; 41% vs. 25%, p = 0.42, respectively), but without statistical significance. Visual acuity remained stable in 78%, improved in 13%, and worsened in 9% during follow-up. Surgery had a positive impact on preoperative oculomotor nerve dysfunction in 3 of 4 patients (75%). Postoperative oculomotor nerve dysfunction was observed in 25%, of which 75% fully recovered. This occurrence was significantly associated with irradiation of an orbital tumor residue (p = 0.04). New postoperative trigeminal hypoesthesia was observed in 47%, of which 73% recovered. All SOMs were classified as WHO grade 1, and complementary treatments achieved oncological control, requiring gamma-knife radiosurgery in 53% and standard radiotherapy in 6%. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery effectively improves proptosis in SOM, though complete resolution is rare. The absence of predictive factors suggests multifactorial causes, including body mass index and tumor resection grade. Postoperative oculomotor nerve dysfunction and trigeminal hypoesthesia are common but often recover. Gamma-knife radiosurgery maintains long-term oncological control for evolving tumor residue.

Initial implementation of surgical guide design utilizing digital medicine for lateral orbital decompression surgery.

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of utilizing a surgical guide, designed through digital medical technology, in lateral orbital decompression surgery. METHODS: In total, 18 patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), who underwent orbital balance decompression surgery at the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University between September 2018 and August 2022, were included. Orbital CT scanning was performed on all patients with TAO, and Mimics 21.0 software was used to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of the orbit based on the CT data. The osteotomy guide plate for lateral orbital decompression surgery was designed using 3-matic 13.0 software, adhering to the criteria of surgical effectiveness and safety. The surgical positioning guide was designed using Geomagic Wrap 21.0. Once printed, the surgical guide was sterilized with low-temperature plasma and applied during surgery. Of the nine patients treated using a surgical navigation system, three cases experienced cerebrospinal fluid leakage complications during the procedure, and two exhibited inadequate bone removal along the lateral wall. In contrast, among the nine patients treated with surgical guides, no intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage or evidence of insufficient lateral wall bone removal was observed, highlighting a statistically significant distinction between the two cohorts (p = 0.046). Postoperative improvements were notable in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and exophthalmos for patients afflicted with extremely severe TAO. The surgical guide, designed with digital medical technology, has been shown to be an effective and secure auxiliary tool in lateral orbital decompression surgery. It not only aids in reducing the incidence of intraoperative complications, but also enhances the accuracy and safety of surgery. These improvements offer robust support for continued exploration in this field within clinical practice.

Fibrous dysplasia with aneurysmal bone cyst-like change occurring in pediatric orbit: case report and literature review.

PURPOSE: We report a case of fibrous dysplasia (FD) with aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC)-like change in a child with orbital involvement, review the related cases, and discuss clinical features, therapy, and prognosis of this disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 10-year-old girl had right proptosis (degree of exophthalmos: OD 16 mm, OS 13 mm) and limited vision (visual acuity: OD 1.0, OS 0.8) without trauma. Preoperative CT showed a 5.0*4.3 cm right-sided crania-orbital communicating tumor. MRI indicated a well-defined multicystic mass with scattered fluid levels and soap bubble-like alterations. The child underwent total tumor resection and orbital parietal titanium mesh reconstruction. At 20 months of follow-up, the child has recovered from ocular problems, and the tumor has not recurred. CONCLUSION: FD combined with ABC rarely occurs in orbit and generally begins with ocular symptoms. The etiology is uncertain. Early diagnosis and surgery are essential. Complete resection is suggested whenever possible because residual lesions may recur.

Long-term outcomes of inferomedial orbital wall decompression in Graves' ophthalmopathy in an Asian population: A 30-year retrospective study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of inferomedial orbital wall decompression (IMOD) in Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). METHODS: A retrospective review of 422 eyes of 226 patients with GO-related cosmetically disfiguring proptosis (COS), dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON), or exposure keratopathy (EXP) who received IMOD from 1989 to 2020 was conducted. Hertel value (HE) and corrected visual acuity (CVA) were evaluated at baseline and regularly thereafter. Proptosis recurrence, diplopia, and adjuvant surgeries were assessed. Complete success was defined as proptosis reduction over 2 mm without recurrence and improved diplopia. Partial success was defined as proptosis reduction without recurrence but with persistent or new-onset diplopia, and failure as proptosis recurrence. RESULTS: After follow-up for 40.1 ± 39.6 months (range, 6-239 months), 236 eyes (55.9%) achieved complete success, 175 eyes (41.5%) achieved partial success, and 11 eyes (2.6%) had failure. Significant CVA improvement was observed in both DON and COS groups (P < 0.001 and P = 0.045, respectively). Average proptosis reduction was 5.2 ± 2.2 mm, with a significant increase of 0.5 mm after long-term follow-up (P < 0.001). Incidence of proptosis recurrence was 2.6%. Surgical success rate of COS group was positively correlated with preoperative HE. CONCLUSION: IMOD demonstrated excellent success rate in all three subgroups with a low proptosis recurrence rate and improved visual outcome in both DON and COS groups. Delayed proptosis reduction effect of IMOD may result in delayed-onset asymmetry, especially in the unilateral group.

Impact of sphenoid trigone size and extraocular muscle thickness on the outcome of lateral wall orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease.

BACKGROUND: To retrospectively review lateral wall orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease (TED) and to evaluate pre-operative CT scans to analyse the variation in proptosis reduction. METHODS: Consecutive lateral wall orbital decompressions performed by a single surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. Pre-operative CT scan features and post-operative proptosis reduction were analysed. The sphenoid trigone cross-sectional areas were summed and multiplied by the slice thickness to yield bone volume. Cumulative extraocular muscle thickness was calculated by combining the maximum thickness of the four recti. "Trigone volume" and "cumulative muscle thickness" were correlated with proptosis reduction at 3 months post-surgery. RESULTS: Out of 73 consecutive lateral wall orbital decompressions, 17 orbits had prior endonasal medial wall orbital decompression. In the remaining 56 orbits, the mean pre-operative and post-operative proptosis were 24.3 ± 1.6 mm and 20.9 ± 2.3 mm respectively. The proptosis reduction ranged from 1 to 7 mm (mean of 3.5 mm ± 1.3 (p < 0.001)). Mean sphenoid trigone volume was 895 ± 434.4 mm3. The mean cumulative muscle thickness was 20.4 ± 5 mm. The correlation coefficient between muscle thickness and proptosis reduction was - 0.3 and was statistically significant (p = 0.043). The correlation coefficient between sphenoidal trigone volume and proptosis reduction was 0.2 (p = 0.068). With a multivariate analysis, the coefficient of efficient of regression for muscle thickness was - 0.007 (p = 0.42) and the coefficient of regression for trigone volume was 0.0 (p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Proptosis reduction following lateral wall orbital decompression can be variable. Extraocular muscle thickness had a significant correlation with the outcome, with greater proptosis reduction in orbits with thin muscles. The sphenoidal trigone size had a weak correlation with decompression outcome.

Preoperative Risk Factors for Proptosis Recurrence After Rehabilitative Orbital Decompression in Graves' Orbitopathy Patients.

PURPOSE: Rehabilitative orbital decompression treats disfiguring exophthalmos in patients with Graves' orbitopathy (GO). This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with the postoperative recurrence of proptosis after orbital decompression. DESIGN: Retrospective, case-control study. METHODS: This retrospective review included patients with GO who underwent rehabilitative orbital decompression for disfiguring proptosis in an inactive state with a low clinical activity score (0-2) between January 2017 and December 2020 by a single surgeon. Exophthalmos was measured using a Hertel exophthalmometer, and recurrence was defined as an increase of 2 mm or more after decompression during the follow-up period. The association between preoperative variables and proptosis recurrence was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the total 217 patients, 11 (5.1%) developed recurrence of proptosis during the follow-up period (range, 3-30; mean, 15.6 months). Univariate logistic regression analysis identified thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb) and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) as significant factors for recurrence, with age, sex, smoking, disease duration, orbital radiotherapy, and total thyroidectomy history being nonsignificant. TRAb remained significant in a multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 1.06; P = .014). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.86 with a sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 82.0% at a TRAb level of 7.96 IU/L. CONCLUSION: Preoperative TRAb and TSI are valuable markers to predict proptosis recurrence after orbital decompression. These results may help surgeons to decide the optimal timing for orbital decompression to lessen the risk of postoperative recurrence of proptosis.

Comparison of surgical effect in active and inactive Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy after Endoscopic Transnasal Medial Orbital Decompression.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the changes in orbital soft tissue volume and visual function after endoscopic transnasal medial orbital decompression in patients with active and inactive dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). METHODS: This prospective, cohort study recruited 112 patients (112 eyes) with DON who were divided into an active and inactive DON group (56 eyes each) by clinical activity scores. All patients underwent endoscopic transnasal medial orbital decompression. The pre- and post-operative orbital soft tissue volumes were measured with high-resolution computed tomography (CT) using Mimics software. Visual function, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field (VF), and visual evoked potential (VEP), was recorded before and after surgery. RESULTS: Preoperatively, compared with the inactive DON group, the active DON group had greater extraocular muscle volume (EMV) and EMV/orbital volume (OV) ratio, but worse BCVA, VF, and exophthalmos. Postoperatively, although the EMV slightly increased, with the enlarged medial rectus muscle contributing dramatically, the EMV/OV ratio decreased in patients with DON. Besides, visual function including BCVA, VF, VEP and exophthalmos was also improved in both groups after surgery. There were no significant differences in postoperative OV; EMV; EMV/OV ratio; and the BCVA, VF, and VEP parameters between both groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with DON who did not respond well to steroids, regardless of disease activity, may benefit from orbital decompression via the decrease in the proportion of EMV in OV, especially patients with active DON, who showed more improved visual function than patients with inactive DON.

The lateral transorbital approach to the medial sphenoid wing, anterior clinoid, middle fossa, cavernous sinus, and Meckel's cave: target-based classification, approach-related complications, and intermediate-term ocular outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The lateral transorbital approach (LTOA) is a relatively new minimal access skull base approach suited for addressing paramedian pathology of the anterior and middle fossa. The authors define target zones for this approach and describe a series of cases with detailed measurements of visual outcomes, including those obtained with exophthalmometry. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of LTOA patients. Seven target zones were identified: 1) the orbit, 2) the lesser sphenoid wing and anterior clinoid, 3) the middle fossa, 4) the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus and Meckel's cave, 5) the infratemporal fossa, 6) the petrous apex, and 7) the anterior fossa. The authors used volumetric analyses of preoperative and postoperative MR and CT imaging data to calculate the volume of bone and tumor removed and to provide detailed ophthalmological, neurological, and cosmetic outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients in this cohort, pathology was in zone 2 (n = 10), zone 4 (n = 6), zone 3 (n = 2), zone 1 (n = 1), and zone 5 (n = 1). Pathology was meningioma (n = 10), schwannoma (n = 2), metastasis (n = 2), epidermoid (n = 1), dermoid (n = 1), encephalocele (n = 1), adenoma (n = 1), glioblastoma (n = 1), and inflammatory lesion (n = 1). The goal was gross-total resection (GTR) in 9 patients, all of whom achieved GTR. Subtotal resection (STR) was the goal in 8 patients (5 spheno-orbital meningiomas, 1 giant cavernous sinus/Meckel's cave schwannoma, 1 cavernous sinus prolactinoma, and 1 cavernous sinus dermoid), 7 of whom achieved STR and 1 of whom achieved GTR. The goal was biopsy in 2 patient and repair of encephalocele in 1. Visual acuity was stable or improved in 18 patients and worse in 2. Transient early postoperative diplopia, ptosis, eyelid swelling, and peri-orbital numbness were common. All 9 patients with preoperative diplopia improved at their last follow-up. Seven of 8 patients with preoperative exophthalmos improved after surgery (average correction of 64%). There were no cases of clinically significant (> 2 mm) postoperative enophthalmos. The most frequent postoperative complaint was peri-orbital numbness (40%). There was 1 CSF leak. Most patients were satisfied with their ocular (84%-100% of patients provided positive satisfaction-related responses) and cosmetic (75%-100%) outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The LTOA is a safe minimal access approach to a variety of paramedian anterior skull base pathologies in several locations. Early follow-up revealed excellent resolution of exophthalmos with little risk of clinically significant enophthalmos. Transient diplopia, ptosis, and peri-orbital numbness were common but improved. Careful case selection is critical to ensure good outcome.

Volumetric Analysis of Spheno-Orbital Meningiomas: Prognostic Correlation and a Compartmentalized Approach.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Spheno-orbital meningiomas arise from the arachnoid villi cap cells at the sphenoid ridge and have the ability to spread through soft tissue extension and cranial bone invasion. Owing to their orbital hyperostosis and intraorbital soft tissue extension, they commonly present with ophthalmologic manifestations. This study aims to investigate the correlation between tumor volume with the presenting symptoms and postoperative outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent surgical resection of spheno-orbital meningiomas. Tumor volumes in different compartments were measured using preoperative and postoperative imaging. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify correlations between tumor volumes and presenting symptoms preoperatively and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were included in this study, of whom 86.4% had proptosis, 80.3% had decreased visual acuity (VA), 30.3% had visual field defects, and 13.6% had periorbital edema. Preoperatively, proptosis linearly correlated with intraosseous tumor volume (coefficient = 0.6, P < .001), while the decrease in baseline VA correlated with the intraorbital tumor volume (coefficient = 0.3, P = .01). The odds of periorbital edema were found to increase with an increase in intraosseous tumor volume with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.4 (95% CI, 1.1-1.7, P = .003), while the odds of visual field defects were found to increase with an increase in intraorbital tumor volume with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.7 (95% CI, 1.3-5.6, P = .01). Postoperatively, the volume of intraosseous tumor resected linearly correlated with the improvement in proptosis (coefficient = 0.7, P < .001), while the volume of intraorbital tumor resected linearly correlated with improvement in VA (coefficient = 0.5, P < .001) and with a larger effect size in patients presenting with moderate-to-severe decrease in VA preoperatively (coefficient = 0.8). CONCLUSION: Underscoring the importance of each tumor compartment relative to the patient's symptomatology serves as a valuable guide in implementing a compartmentalized resection approach tailored to the surgical objectives.

A comparison of proptosis reduction with teprotumumab versus surgical decompression based on fat-to-muscle ratio in thyroid eye disease.

PURPOSE: To explore if orbital fat-to-muscle ratio (FMR) is predictive of whether surgical decompression or teprotumumab leads to greater proptosis reduction in thyroid eye disease (TED). METHODS: A single-center retrospective cohort study comparing surgical decompression with teprotumumab according to FMR. All TED patients completing an 8-dose course of teprotumumab between January 2020 and September 2022 and all patients undergoing bony orbital decompression from January 2017 to December 2019 were included. Subjects were excluded if they were <18 years, received both surgical decompression and teprotumumab, or lacked orbital imaging. The primary exposure variable was teprotumumab or surgical decompression. The secondary exposure variable was baseline FMR. The primary outcome measure was change in proptosis (mm). RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients, mean age 53.5 years (±11.4), were included in the teprotumumab group and 160 patients, mean age 48 years (±11.1), in the surgical group. Average proptosis reduction after teprotumumab and surgical decompression was 3 mm (±1.44) and 5 mm (±1.75), respectively. The FMR was stratified at the median of 1.80. In subjects with FMR < 1.80, teprotumumab showed equivalent proptosis reduction compared to surgical decompression, -0.33 mm (SE 1.32) p = .802. In subjects with FMR ≥ 1.80, surgical decompression led to significantly more proptosis reduction than teprotumumab, 3.01 mm (SE 0.54), p < .001. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline FMR can be used to counsel patients as to proptosis reduction with teprotumumab versus surgery. Subjects with low FMR obtain comparable proptosis reduction with teprotumumab or surgery, whereas high FMR is associated with more significant proptosis reduction following surgery over teprotumumab.

Orbital Liposarcoma Progression From a Well-Differentiated to a Dedifferentiated Type in a Young Patient.

A young male patient presented with unilateral proptosis of the left eye. Laboratory tests and an initial computed tomography scan of the orbit were compatible with euthyroid orbitopathy. He subsequently underwent decompression surgery for unfavorable cosmesis and corneal exposure symptoms with good results, but returned 1 year later for recurrence of proptosis. There was a superomedial fatty density extraconal mass on computed tomography scan. A biopsy done a year later confirmed the diagnosis of well-differentiated liposarcoma from the previously noted mass and a dedifferentiated component in the newly appeared mass in the intraconal space. Orbital exenteration with radial forearm free flap was performed followed by orbital radiotherapy. No disease recurrence or metastasis was seen on follow-ups for 7 years since undergoing treatment.

Orbital Apex Syndrome Caused by Intraorbital Aspergillus Infection.

Orbital apex syndrome, a clinical disease that is uncommon and has a high fatality rate. Tumor, endocrine, and inflammatory variables are frequently responsible for its occurrence. The authors describe a 53-year-old Chinese man who was diagnosed with orbital apex syndrome and coupled type 2 diabetes mellitus and a fungus infestation. Treatment included nasal endoscopic orbital apical decompression, anti-infection, and adequate debridement. Except for inevitable optic nerve damage, postoperative proptosis and headache manifestations improved, and systemic infection was timely contained with no signs of recurrence or serious complications occurred. The orbital apex syndrome is difficult to treat, and soon as possible biopsy of the lesion, aggressive surgical decompression, and antifungal treatment seem to be effective ways to improve survival rates.

Outcomes of Patients With Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy Treated With Intravenous Corticosteroids and/or Orbital Decompression Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: The level of evidence is low for the treatment of patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) and there is no consensus on the treatment of DON with intravenous high-dose glucocorticoids (ivGC) or direct surgical decompression. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of glucocorticoid treatment and orbital decompression (OD) in DON. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched along with other sources. STUDY SELECTION: A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Standard methodological guidance of the Cochrane Handbook was used and data were independently extracted by multiple observers. The primary outcomes were the improvement of best corrected visual acuity (ΔBCVA). Secondary outcomes were proptosis reduction, change in diplopia, visual field defects, and intraocular pressure (IOP). DATA SYNTHESIS: The ΔBCVA in the ivGC + OD group was improved 0.26 LogMAR more than in the ivGC group (P = .007). The ΔBCVA in the OD group was better than in the ivGC group (P = .008). Posttreatment proptosis in the ivGC + OD and OD groups were improved further by 3.54 mm and 3.00 mm, respectively, than in the ivGC group (P < .01). The mean deviation (MD) in the ivGC + OD group was improved by an additional 5.33 dB than in the ivGC group (P = .002). The IOP in the ivGC + OD group was improved further than in the ivGC group (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the present meta-analysis, OD or ivGC + OD may be more effective in improving BCVA and MD and reducing proptosis compared with ivGC. Compared with ivGC alone, ivGC + OD is more effective in improving IOP than ivGC. Although this study improves the hierarchy of evidence in the treatment of DON, additional randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this conclusion.

A clinical study of the effect of 3D reconstruction on exophthalmos after an operation on an old orbital wall fracture.

BACKGROUND: Orbital blowout fracture is common in ocular trauma. Accurate measurement of orbital volume after fracture is key in improving intraocular correction. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the impact of 3D reconstruction technology in restoring normal exophthalmos in patients with old orbital wall fractures. METHODS: A total of 31 patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (n= 15) and a control group (n= 16). For orbital wall repair and reconstruction, the conventional group used the conventional surgical scheme, and the 3D group used 3D printing technology. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the preoperative mean extraocular muscle volume of the healthy eye and the affected eye. However, the mean orbital volume (24.76 vs 27.11, P= 0.005) and mean retrobulbar fat volume (17.53 vs 16.42, P= 0.006) were significantly different between the healthy eye and the affected eye. After an average follow-up of 16 weeks, the differences in pre- and post-surgery exophthalmos in the two groups were 0.42 ± 0.08 mm and 1.63 ± 0.51 mm, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (t= 4.42, P= 0.003). The complications were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: Using 3D reconstruction technology preoperatively can significantly improve exophthalmos in patients with old orbital wall fractures.

Patient-specific implants for reconstruction of orbit and skull following resection of spheno-orbital meningiomas: A two-implant concept.

INTRODUCTION: The surgical treatment of spheno-orbital meningioma (SOM) is challenging. In addition to anatomical constraints that lead to a difficult resection, the reconstruction of the resulting defect is demanding. Uniform recommendations concerning the best reconstruction technique are not available in the existing literature. We propose a novel two-piece concept for reconstructing post-ablative defects using patient-specific implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2018 and 2021, seven patients underwent SOM resection using two digitally planned patient-specific implants for orbit and skull reconstruction. To analyze the accuracy of the reconstruction, preoperative plans were merged with postoperative data sets. The clinical outcome was evaluated by comparing the pre- and postoperative exophthalmos index (EI). RESULTS: In all cases, adequate reconstruction and a satisfactory match between the final implant position and preoperative planning were achieved. The EI was reduced in all cases from a mean of 1.27 to 1.09 (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed concept of a two-piece reconstruction after SOM resection is an excellent way to manage the concern around post-ablative defects. The current technical conditions allow for a precise, safe, and predictable reconstruction.

Endoscope-navigation-assisted orbital decompression for graves' orbitopathy.

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of endoscope-navigation (EN)-assisted orbital decompression and non-EN-assisted orbital decompression for Graves' orbitopathy (GO) and to assess the potential clinical advantage of EN in orbital decompression surgery. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was performed on 227 orbits of 147 GO patients who underwent EN-assisted orbital decompression (185 orbits) or non-EN-assisted orbital decompression (42 orbits). Assessment included proptosis reduction, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), diplopia, ocular restriction and surgical complications. RESULTS: The proptosis reduction in the EN group was 0.9 mm greater than that in the non-EN group in the entire cohort (p = 0.004) and 1.0 mm greater than that in the non-EN group in the propensity score matching cohort (p = 0.025) at 2 years postoperatively. In all, 78.2% of orbits with sight-threatening GO in the EN group and 52.6% of orbits in the non-EN group showed BCVA improvement (p = 0.026). The proportion of patients with improvement in diplopia was significantly greater in the EN group than in the non-EN group (p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: EN offers anatomical localization and deep-seated tissue visualization in orbital decompression and significantly improves the surgical outcomes for GO.

Effect of the lateral wall valgisation in the treatment of patients with endocrine orbitopathy.

Orbital decompression is an established procedure used to correct exophthalmos that results from excess orbital soft tissue. This study aimed to explore a new minimally-invasive technique that features three-dimensional planning and patient-specific implants for lateral valgisation (LAVA) of the orbital wall. We analysed the outcomes of this procedure in nine endocrine orbitopathy (EO) patients (32-65 years of age with a mean clinical activity score of 4.3) who underwent this procedure between 2021 and 2022, including seven patients diagnosed with dysthyroid optic neuropathy. The impact of LAVA and wall resection on orbital areas, volumes, Hertel values, visual acuity, and new-onset diplopia was determined. Among our results, we found that LAVA and resection of 18 orbital walls resulted in significant enlargement of the orbital volume from a preoperative mean of 30.8 ± 3.5 cm3 to a mean of 37.3 ± 5.8 cm3 postoperatively (mean difference, 6.2 ± 1.8 cm3; p < 0.001); this procedure also resulted in a significant reduction in the mean Hertel value, from 28.7 ± 1.9 mm to 20.0 ± 1.9 mm (mean difference, 8.7 ± 1.9 mm; p < 0.001). The procedure resulted in visual acuity declined in three patients (33.3 %) with reductions from 0.25 to 0.125, 0.8 to 0.125, and 1.2 to 0.7, respectively. No new diplopia occurred postoperatively, however, our study included five patients with preoperative diplopia that did not improve postoperatively and required additional surgical intervention. Similarly, four patients required supplemental eyelid surgery. In conclusion, our study suggests the effects of the LAVA with the partial floor resection seems to be effective, which provides a substantially improved outcome for patients undergoing surgical treatment of EO via the use of double navigation and piezosurgical methods.