Clinical evaluation of radiotherapy for Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Seventeen patients with moderately severe ophthalmopathy due to Graves'disease were treated by cobalt or supervoltage radiotherapy.All patientscomplained of diplopia.The mean proptosis value was 21.4 mm.Threepatients (18%) showed good response, 7 (41%) moderate and 7 minimal orno response.Improvement was noted mainly in soft tissue changes anddiplopia, while proptosis decreased in only 5 patients.All except one patientwho had marked extraocular muscle involvement revealed by computed tomographyresponded to treatment.These data indicate that radiotherapy may beindicated in patients with progressive opthalmopathy, especially in those whoare associated with extraocular muscle enlargement.