Management of patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy treated with intravenous corticosteroids and/or orbital decompression surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the characteristics and long-term outcomes of adult patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) who underwent orbital decompression surgery and/or received intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 98 eyes of 49 patients who were diagnosed and treated with bilateral DON between 2007 and 2018 at the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Medical University of Vienna. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 4.1 ± 2.7 years. The most common presenting symptoms were eyelid and periorbital swelling (45%) representing active inflammation. Upgaze restriction was the most common clinical finding (73%). At time of diagnosis, the mean clinical activity score was 4 ± 1/4 ± 1 (right/left eye, respectively). Sixty-three percent (31/49) of the patients were treated both with IV methylprednisolone and underwent orbital decompression surgery, 22% (11/49) were treated with IV methylprednisolone alone and 14% (7/49) underwent surgical decompression only. Seventy-one percent (30/42) of the patients underwent 3-wall decompression. The mean reduction of proptosis in patients treated with both IV methylprednisolone and orbital decompression surgery was 4/5 mm. Mean of reduction in proptosis in patients receiving IV methylprednisolone only was 1/0 mm and in patients with surgical decompression only was 5/5 mm. Mean VA was 0.1 ± 0.5/0.1 ± 0.5 logMAR at baseline and 0.05 ± 0.7/0.05 ± 0.7 at final follow-up. In 92% (45/49), VA was preserved or improved at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with DON were treated both with IV corticosteroids and 3-wall decompression surgery. Vision could be successfully preserved in most cases and reduction of proptosis was achieved, especially after orbital decompression surgery.

Functional outcomes and complications in refractory dysthyroid optic neuropathy management: Experience with 3 different surgical protocols.

INTRODUCTION: Dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) is the most severe complication of Graves' orbitopathy (GO) and its management may require decompression surgery. Clear recommendations do not exist about which surgery should be performed and how extended the decompression should be. In this paper we present our experience regarding the management of DON via 3 different surgical protocols: a modified extended orbital apex decompression, a 2 walls decompression (inferior and lateral) and a 3 walls decompression (inferior, lateral and medial) and evaluate the functional outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of subjects affected by DON not responding to medical therapy has been performed. All patients were submitted to pre- and post-operative ophthalmologic evaluations and orbital and sinuses CT scan in order to evaluate functional and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: 27 patients were enrolled in the study. Surgical procedures were performed on 42 orbits. A statistically significant post-operative improvement was recorded in visual acuity, proptosis, color vision and fundus oculi evaluation for all groups. No patient developed major or minor complications after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Extended endonasal approach and 3 walls decompression have been proved effective in the management of DON. The choice between them is done according to degree of proptosis, general status and eye-surface damages.

Ethnic variation in medial orbital wall anatomy and its implications for decompression surgery.

BACKGROUND: To describe the inter-ethnic variation in medial orbital wall anatomy between Chinese, Malay, Indian and Caucasian subjects. METHODS: Single-centre, retrospective, Computed Tomography (CT)-based observational study. 20 subjects of each ethnicity, were matched for gender and laterality. We excluded subjects younger than 16 years and those with orbital pathology. OsiriX version 8.5.1 (Pixmeo., Switzerland) and DICOM image viewing software CARESTREAM Vue PACS (Carestream Health Inc., USA) were used to measure the ethmoidal sinus length, width and volume, medial orbital wall and floor angle and the relative position of the posterior ethmoid sinus to the posterior maxillary wall. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 (IBM, USA). RESULTS: There were 12 males (60 %) in each group, with no significant difference in age (p = 0.334-0.994). The mean ethmoid sinus length in Chinese, Malay, Indian and Caucasian subjects, using the Chinese as reference, were 37.2, 36.9, 38.0 and 37.4mm, the mean width was 11.6, 10.5, 11.4 and 10.0mm (p = 0.020) and the mean ethmoid sinus volume were 3362, 3652, 3349 and 3898mm3 respectively. The mean medial orbital wall and floor angle was 135.0, 131.4, 131.0 and 136.8 degrees and the mean relative position of posterior ethmoid sinus to posterior maxillary wall were - 2.0, -0.2, -1.5 and 1.6mm (p = 0.003) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: No inter-ethnic variation was found in decompressible ethmoid sinus volume. Caucasians had their posterior maxillary sinus wall anterior to their posterior ethmoidal walls unlike the Chinese, Malay and Indians. Awareness of ethnic variation is essential for safe orbital decompression.

Factors Predicting the Success of Combined Orbital Decompression and Strabismus Surgery in Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of orbital decompression combined with strabismus surgery in thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) and identify factors leading to surgical success. A retrospective comparative case series was conducted on 52 patients who were treated with combined orbital decompression and strabismus surgery. Outcome measurements included perioperative Hertel exophthalmometry and strabismus measurements. Surgical success was defined as binocular single vision (BSV) in the primary and reading positions within 5 prism diopters (PDs). As a result, the average reduction in proptosis was 3.23 mm, with a mean preoperative Hertel measurement of 22.64 mm. Forty-four patients (84.6%) achieved the success criterion and composed the success group. In addition to sex and underlying hyperthyroidism, symmetry of orbitopathy, interocular exophthalmos difference of more than 2 mm, predominant esotropia type, mixed type strabismus, baseline horizontal deviations, baseline vertical deviations, and combination with one-wall decompression surgery were significantly different between the success and failure groups. All complications were mild and temporary. Orbital decompression combined with strabismus surgery produced satisfactory outcomes in selected patients with efficacy and safety. Symmetry between the two eyes with relatively simple strabismus and proptosis ensured surgical success. With experienced surgeons, advanced techniques, and selected patients, this method can serve as an alternative treatment option to minimize the number of surgeries, medical costs and recovery period.

Piezosurgery in Modified Pterional Orbital Decompression Surgery in Graves Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Piezosurgery uses microvibrations to selectively cut bone, preserving the adjacent soft tissue. The present study evaluated the use of piezosurgery for bone removal in orbital decompression surgery in Graves disease via a modified pterional approach. METHODS: A piezosurgical device (Piezosurgery medical) was used in 14 patients (20 orbits) with Graves disease who underwent orbital decompression surgery in additional to drills and rongeurs for bone removal of the lateral orbital wall and orbital roof. The practicability, benefits, and drawbacks of this technique in orbital decompression surgery were recorded. Piezosurgery was evaluated with respect to safety, preciseness of bone cutting, and preservation of the adjacent dura and periorbita. Preoperative and postoperative clinical outcome data were assessed. RESULTS: The orbital decompression surgery was successful in all 20 orbits, with good clinical outcomes and no postoperative complications. Piezosurgery proved to be a safe tool, allowing selective bone cutting with no damage to the surrounding soft tissue structures. However, there were disadvantages concerning the intraoperative handling in the narrow space and the efficiency of bone removal was limited in the orbital decompression surgery compared with drills. CONCLUSIONS: Piezosurgery proved to be a useful tool in bone removal for orbital decompression in Graves disease. It is safe and easy to perform, without any danger of damage to adjacent tissue because of its selective bone-cutting properties. Nonetheless, further development of the device is necessary to overcome the disadvantages in intraoperative handling and the reduced bone removal rate.

[Perioperative treatment for the urgent orbital decompression surgery in a 30-weeks pregnant woman with Graves' orbitopathy]. / Tratamiento perioperatorio para la cirugía urgente de descompresión orbitaria en una paciente gestante de 30 semanas con orbitopatía de Graves.

Thyroid ophthalmopathy is a rare extra-thyroid complication usually associated with Graves' disease. This disease can occur in the euthyroid pregnant patient. Graves' orbitopathy is characterized by eyelid retraction, proptosis, extraocular muscle dysfunction, and periorbital edema. In some cases an emergency surgical repair may be required to avoid irreversible vision loss. We present the case of a 35-year-old woman in her 30th gestational week, who suffered from Graves' ophthalmopathy, severe exophthalmia, and visual acuity decrease. Following consultations among anesthesiologists, ophthalmologists, maxillofacial surgeons, endocrinologists, obstetricians and the patient, it was decided to perform a surgical orbital wall decompression. The anesthetic and perioperative implications associated with gestational age and the considerations for this surgical procedure, and how to avoid increasing intraocular pressure are discussed.

[Diagnosis and treatment of dysthyroid orbitopathy: a multidisciplinary disease]. / Prise en charge diagnostique et thérapeutique d'une orbitopathie dysthyroïdienne: une affection multidisciplinaire.

Graves' disease is a common autoimmune disorder that can be complicated, especially in smokers, by an orbitopathy which can sometimes jeopardize vision and result in functional sequelae affecting quality of life of these patients. Although the diagnosis of dysthyroid orbitopathy is usually obvious, clinical evaluation must specify the stage of progression (clinical activity score) and severity according to the European Group EUGOGO classification. At first, rapid restoration of the euthyroid state, smoking cessation and simple symptomatic ophthalmic treatment are suggested. In the case of severe or active orbitopathy, oral or intravenous corticosteroid therapy with or without orbital radiation therapy (and even emergency orbital surgery in the case of compressive optic neuropathy) should be implemented. Ultimately, orbital surgery (orbital decompression in cases of exophthalmos), oculomotor surgery (diplopia) or eyelid surgery (retraction) may be required depending on the severity of sequelae. A multidisciplinary approach involving ophthalmologist, endocrinologist and orbital surgeon should facilitate an overall diagnosis and treatment plan for these patients.