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Meningioma of the optic nerve shell
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Symptoms of the meningioma of the optic nerve shell
The disease manifests itself in middle age by a one-sided gradual decrease in vision. Temporary impairment of vision may be the first symptom.
Classical triad: decreased vision, atrophy of the optic nerve, opticociliary vascular shunts. However, the simultaneous appearance of all three features is rare. The sequence of signs is as follows:
- Dysfunction of the optic nerve and chronic stagnant disk, followed by atrophy.
- Opticociliary vascular shunts, which are found in about 30% of cases, regress with the development of optic atrophy.
- Limitation of mobility, especially upwards, because the tumor can "split") the optic nerve.
- Exophthalmos appears due to tumor growth within the muscle funnel and develops after a decrease in vision.
The sequence is the opposite of the one that occurs in tumors growing outside the solid shell when exophthalmos appear long before the compression of the optic nerve.
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Treatment of meningioma of the optic nerve shell
- Observation of middle-aged patients with slow growth of the tumor, as the prognosis is good.
- Surgical removal in patients of young age with aggressive tumors, especially with a blind eye.
- Irradiation in some cases.