Inflammatory Paranasal Sinus Diseases with Visual Disturbances

Abstract

Fifteen patients with inflammatory paranasal sinus diseases and visual disturbances were surgically treated at our clinic between 1988 and 1998. These patients were discussed regarding grades of visual disturbance, preoperative progress, medical history, results of bacterial examinations and preoperative CT. The interval between onset of visual disturbance and operation was not related to visual recovery grades. Two of 8 patients with second or third paranasal surgery recovered visual power after surgery. Five of 7 first operation patients recovered it as well. A group of first operation patients showed a greater visual recovery rate than a group of second or third operation patients. No relationship was observed between results of bacterial examinations and visual recovery grades. However, 2 patients with paranasal sinus mycosis and orbital apex syndrome showed no visual power at postoperation. Ten of 12 patients who underwent preoperative CT showed bone defects and mass lesions affecting the optic nerve. However, 5 of those 10 patients recovered visual power. On the other hand, 2 patients without bone defects did not recover visual power. Moreover, 1 of those 2 patients had orbital apex syndrome.