The Intracranial and Intracanalicular Optic Nerve as Seen Through Different Surgical Windows: Endoscopic Versus Transcranial.

Background: Surgically manageable lesions involving the intracranial or intracanalicular portions of the optic nerve (cranial nerve II) can be approached through several different operative windows. Given the complex anatomy of the optic nerve and its surrounding neurovascular structures, it is essential to understand the conventional and topographic anatomy of the optic nerve from different surgical perspectives as well as its relationship with surrounding structures. We describe the intracranial and intracanalicular course of the optic nerve and present an analytical evaluation of the degree of exposure provided by several different transcranial and endoscopic surgical approaches.