Advances in thyroid orbitopathy

ABSTRACT

The management of thyroid eye disease continues to evolve. The development of newer diagnostic assays has simplified the medical evaluation of patients suspected to have this ocular disorder. The sensitive serum TSH is the first test to obtain in order to determine if the patient is hyperthyroid. Newer tests of anti-thyroid immunity have also improved diagnosis. Imaging studies, especially the use of fat saturation-gadolinium programs, have improved our ability to diagnose compressive optic neuropathy. A management paradigm for patients with thyroid orbitopathy is presented, and newer approaches that may impact on future management are discussed.

Key words:

• thyroid eye disease
• magnetic resonance imaging
• orbital inflammation
• eyelid repair
• orbital decompression