Retinal and Optic Nerve Complications in a High Dose Irradiation Technique of Ethmoid Sinus and Nasal Cavity

Abstract

Thirty patients with tumor of the ethmoid sinus and nasal cavity were treated with megavoltage irradiation. High doses were delivered to the tumor and adjacent retina and optic nerve. Eighty-seven per cent of the squamous cell carcinomas were locally controlled and 67% of the patients were alive and free of disease at four years or more. The clinical and funduscopic changes associated with radiation injury of the retina and optic nerve include macular and retinal degeneration, optic nerve atrophy, central artery thrombosis, and blindness. Damage to the retina and optic nerve is correlated with a time-dose response curve.