Diagnostic value of CT scan in Graves orbital disease

Objective To evaluate the significance of CT scan in the diagnosis of Graves orbital disease.Methods Axial and coronal CT findings and clinical materials in 37 patients with Graves orbital disease were analyzed retrospectively.Results The exophthalmos of Ⅰ degree was 83.78%(31/37), Ⅱ degree was 5.41%(2/37),and non exophthalmos was 10.81%(4/37), involvement of bilateral extraocular muscles and single side extraocular muscles was 8.11% respectively,and 4 patients extraocular muscles have not been involved(10.81%).Thickening of medial rectus muscle(n=63), inferior rectus muscle(n=53), superior rectus muscle(n=44) and lateral rectus muscle(n=34) was found. Increase of density in the orbital apex(n=5), swelling of lacrimal gland(n=5), thickening of optic nerve(n=5) and swelling of the eyelid (n=6) were found; The lightly to moderate enhancement in all of 26 patients with contrast CT.Conclusion The coronal and axial CT scan can play an important role in the diagnosis of Groves orbital disease, and they can estimate extent of exophthalmos and involve of extraocular muscles for clinical diagnosis and therapy.