Management of glioma of the optic nerve and/or chiasm: an analysis of 20 cases

Abstract

The records of 20 patients with biopsy-proven glioma of the optic nerve and chiasm are reviewed. Symptoms and physical findings on admission are reported. Patients were classified, according to the operative findings, into disease limited to the optic nerve and a more extensive disease group. Surgical procedures, operative complications, irradiation technique, and outcome are analyzed. Patients with disease limited to the optic nerve may be adequately managed by resection alone. In the more extensive lesions, high morbidity is associated with resection; therefore, biopsy and irradiation offer the best alternatives for this group of patients.