Clinical evaluation of Graves ophthalmopathy

INTRODUCTION: Graves ophthalmopathy is an autoimmune disease, which is the consequence of thyroid dysfunction. Ocular manifestations occur in 50% of patients with Graves disease. The changes occur due to the inflammatory cell infiltration of retrobulbar fat tissue and extraocular muscles. Ultrasonography of eye orbit provides important information about the condition of retrobulbar adipose tissue and the thickness of extraocular muscles. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to show the clinical significance of orbital ultrasonography in the diagnostics and follow-up of patients with Graves disease. METHODS: The authors examined 154 patients with Graves ophthalmopathy at the Clinic of Ophthalmology of the Clinical Centre in Kragujevac during the period 2008-2010. Ophthalmological examination included visual acuity testing (Snellen chart), biomicroscopy and applanation tonometry, direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy, dry eye testing and exophthalmometry (Hertel). Orbital ultrasonography examination and extraorbital muscle measurement was done by ultrasound B-scan. RESULTS: The disease was more frequent in women (79.87%) aged from 36-45 years. Most patients had hyperthyreoidism (54.55%). In relation to the duration of the disease, the most frequent clinical signs were bilateral ptosis, conjunctival chemosis and periorbital edema. According to our data the highest number of patients had enlarged medial straight muscle. CONCLUSION: Graves ophthalmopathy is the most frequent sign of thyroid disease. By orbital ultrasonography we detected extended echogram and measured the thickness of the extraocular muscle. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance scan were utilized for cases of insufficiently manifested clinical signs of the disease. The advantages of ultrasonography lie in easy handling, patients' comfort, short time of examination and possibilities of repetition.