Abstract
Trends in the management of optic nerve sheath meningiomas have significantly changed over the last few years. Stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy has been proven to stabilize or even improve visual function and has, therefore, become the treatment of choice in progressive and advanced cases where visual function is still present.
It facilitates adequate and focused irradiation of the tumor mass, thus minimizing exposure of the surrounding tissue and a risk of complications from high doses of irradiation. Surgical excision of the tumor is, on the contrary, associated with a high risk of blindness and is recommended only in cases of intracranial extension with no useful vision, disfiguring proptosis and rapid deterioration.
Opthalmological examination in patients with optic nerve sheath meningioma is crucial for the decision about further procedures. Changes in visual function and their progression require an active therapeutic approach.
The aim of our paper is to review the advances in therapy for primary optic nerve sheath meningiomas, and to summarize indicative criteria for the individual therapy approaches