Clinical Significance of Tumor-Related Edema of Optic Tract Affecting Visual Function in Patients with Sellar and Suprasellar Tumors.

Objective: Preoperative tumor-related edema of the optic tract (EOT) is often found along the white matter tract of the visual system. However, the relationship of EOT with visual function and outcome remains unclear. Therefore we aimed to elucidate whether the presence of EOT is associated with visual outcome in patients with sellar and suprasellar tumors.

Methods: A total of 212 eyes of 106 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery for sellar and suprasellar tumors at our institution between March 2016 and August 2018 were included in this retrospective study. Data on patient characteristics, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging findings, and ophthalmologic evaluations were collected. Patients were assigned to 2 groups depending on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging findings (EOT group = 19 [17.9%], non-EOT group = 87 [82.1%]). Visual acuity, visual field (VF), global visual function score, VF index, VF mean deviation, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness as determined by optical coherence tomography were compared between the groups before and after treatment.

Results: In the EOT group, 4 patients had pituitary adenoma, 8 had craniopharyngioma, and 7 had other pathologies. There was no significant difference of pathologies between the groups. Preoperatively, EOT group showed significantly lower values of global visual function score, VF index, mean deviation, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness than did the non-EOT group (P < 0.001). Postoperatively, the EOT group showed worse visual outcomes than did the non-EOT group.

Conclusions: This study reveals that EOT caused by sellar and suprasellar tumors is associated with worse visual function and poor improvement postoperatively.