Irreversible Visual Loss due to Chronic Sinusitis in a Patient with Optic Canal Dehiscence / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

A 56-year-old female with complete unilateral visual loss due to chronic sinusitis is presented. The progress of visual loss was gradual, symptomless and was distinguished from the orbital complication of the acute sinusitis. She had previous history of ipsilateral Caldwell-Luc and ethmoidectomy operation. Computed tomography showed a bony dehiscence of optic canal at posterior ethmoid which was filled with soft tissue density. Middle meatal adhesion and sinusitis caused by the previous operation was eliminated and subsequently, optic nerve decompression was complete. However, the visual loss was irreversible and could not be restored. This case suggests that the bony dehiscence of optic canal is important factor that causes visual loss in the existence of sinusitis.