Results and predictability of fat-removal orbital decompression for disfiguring graves exophthalmos in an Asian patient population

[Interdisciplinary Management of Orbital Diseases]

Diagnosis and therapy of orbital diseases is an interdisciplinary challenge, in which i.e. otorhinolaryngologists, ophthalmologists, radiologists, radiation therapists, maxillo-facial surgeons, endocrinologists, and pediatricians are involved. This review article describes frequent diseases which both, otolaryngologists and ophthalmologists are concerned with in interdisciplinary settings. In particular the inflammatory diseases of the orbit including orbital complications, autoimmunological diseases of the orbit including Grave´s orbitopathy, and primary and secondary tumors of the orbit are discussed. Beside describing the clinical characteristics and diagnostic steps the article focusses on the interdisciplinary therapy. The review is completed by the presentation of most important surgical approaches to the orbit, their indications and possible complications. The authors tried to highlight the relevant facts despite the shortness of the text.

Long-term outcomes of inferomedial orbital wall decompression in Graves' ophthalmopathy in an Asian population: A 30-year retrospective study

PURPOSE

This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of inferomedial orbital wall decompression (IMOD) in Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO).

METHODS

A retrospective review of 422 eyes of 226 patients with GO-related cosmetically disfiguring proptosis (COS), dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON), or exposure keratopathy (EXP) who received IMOD from 1989 to 2020 was conducted. Hertel value (HE) and corrected visual acuity (CVA) were evaluated at baseline and regularly thereafter. Proptosis recurrence, diplopia, and adjuvant surgeries were assessed. Complete success was defined as proptosis reduction over 2 mm without recurrence and improved diplopia. Partial success was defined as proptosis reduction without recurrence but with persistent or new-onset diplopia, and failure as proptosis recurrence.

RESULTS

After follow-up for 40.1 ± 39.6 months (range, 6-239 months), 236 eyes (55.9%) achieved complete success, 175 eyes (41.5%) achieved partial success, and 11 eyes (2.6%) had failure. Significant CVA improvement was observed in both DON and COS groups (P < 0.001 and P = 0.045, respectively). Average proptosis reduction was 5.2 ± 2.2 mm, with a significant increase of 0.5 mm after long-term follow-up (P < 0.001). Incidence of proptosis recurrence was 2.6%. Surgical success rate of COS group was positively correlated with preoperative HE.

CONCLUSION

IMOD demonstrated excellent success rate in all three subgroups with a low proptosis recurrence rate and improved visual outcome in both DON and COS groups. Delayed proptosis reduction effect of IMOD may result in delayed-onset asymmetry, especially in the unilateral group.

The effect of previous orbital decompression on outcomes of rectus muscle recession surgery in patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of previous orbital decompression on outcomes of rectus muscle recession surgery in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 55 eyes of 33 patients treated in our hospital for restrictive strabismus caused by thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. We performed muscle recession for the obviously restricted extraocular muscles, with 6 weeks of follow-up. Surgical outcomes were compared between the orbital decompression group (DG, n=15) and non-orbital decompression group (NDG, n=18).

RESULTS

A total of 33 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy who underwent rectus muscle recession surgery were included. Of these, 15 patients had undergone orbital decompression prior to strabismus surgery, and 18 had not. The two groups did not differ in terms of the preoperative horizontal or vertical ocular deviation, degree of restriction of eye movement, degree of diplopia, or mean number of muscles that underwent surgery (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the preoperative horizontal or vertical ocular deviation, level of eye movement restriction, degree of diplopia and the success rate of the surgery (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Rectus muscle recession surgery in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy during the quiescent period could improve the ocular deviation and diplopia, and orbital decompression performed before strabismus surgery had no significant effect on surgical technique or outcomes of rectus muscle recession surgery.

Prediction of exophthalmos by body mass index for craniofacial reconstruction: consequences for cold cases

It is inconvenient for a forensic practitioner to gather population-specific data before performing a facial reconstruction. The inconvenience may defeat the point of creating the reconstruction. The objective of this study was to evaluate a non-population-dependent method of determining exophthalmos. The protrusion of the eyeball is known to vary with the contents of the orbital cavity based on bony orbital resorption or increased or decreased fat contents, as well as according to relative eyeball size. Of use are available statistics on body mass index, and this is discussed within the context of eyeball protrusion. A weak positive correlation (0.3263) between the body mass index of the country where the study originated, and the degree of exophthalmos was found. The results suggest that eyeball protrusion rates can be established according to body mass index, and this framework may be more useful considering conventional police practices.

The Changes in Optic Nerve after Orbital Decompression Surgery for Thyroid Eye Disease and Case Reports of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Purpose

To demonstrate the changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) after orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease (TED).

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 52 surgical TED patients, 30 nonsurgical TED patients, and 30 control subjects. Five surgical TED eyes with disc edema were excluded. The surgical TED patients were classified into the “dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON)” group (16 eyes) and the “non-DON” group (83 eyes). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual field (VF) examinations were performed preoperatively and 6 months later. The control subjects and nonsurgical TED patients received two OCT examinations at 6-month intervals. The postoperative changes in the RNFL thickness were compared between groups. Three cases with severe postoperative vision loss were presented additionally.

Results

The changes in the RNFL thickness of the controls (0.5 ± 3.4 μm) and the nonsurgical TED patients (0.3 ± 2.8 μm) were significantly smaller than the surgical TED patients (P < 0.001). The DON group (−9.2 ± 9.2 μm) had greater RNFL thickness reduction than the non-DON group (−3.9 ± 5.4 μm) (P = 0.002). Bone removal decompression was associated with decreased RNFL in the non-DON (P = 0.025; β = −2.49) and DON (P = 0.042; β = −9.43) groups. Three cases who were hard to operate due to extensive fibrosis experienced severe vision loss postoperatively due to anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and posterior ciliary artery occlusion, respectively.

Conclusions

TED patients experienced subclinical optic nerve injury and significant RNFL loss after the orbital decompression surgery. Aggressive manipulation during decompression surgery may lead to dreadful vision loss. Tailored surgical plans and delicate manipulation are warranted.

Semi-automatic magnetic resonance imaging based orbital fat volumetry: reliability and correlation with computed tomography

Post-processing analysis can provide valuable information for diagnosis and planning of orbital disorders. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the reliability of semi-automatic, orbital fat volumetry using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two observers assessed the orbital fat volume using a standard MRI protocol (3T, T1w sequence) in 12 orbits diagnosed with Graves' orbitopathy (GO) and 10 healthy control orbits. MRI and computed tomography (CT) based analysis were compared. Intra-observer variability was good (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.70, 0.95]) and interobserver agreement was moderate (ICC 0.55; 95% CI [-0.09, 0.81]), which corresponds to a mean percentage difference of 1.3% and 17.9% of the total orbital fat volume. Mean differences between MRI and CT measurements were, respectively, 1.1 cm³ (P= 0.064, 95% CI [-0.20, 2.43]) and 1.4 cm³ (P=0.016, 95% CI [0.21, 2.56]) for the control and the GO group. MRI volumetry was strongly correlated with CT (Pearson's r= 0.7, P<0.001). We conclude that orbital fat volumetry is feasible with a semi-automatic segmentation procedure and standard MRI protocol. Correlation with CT volumetry is good, but considerable bias may derive from observer variability and these errors should be taken into account for the purpose of volumetric analysis. Better definition of error sources may increase measurement accuracy.

The effect of intravenous high-dose glucocorticoids and orbital decompression surgery on sight-threatening thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy

AIM

To report the effects of intravenous high-dose glucocorticoids (ivGC) and orbital decompression (OD) surgery for treatment of sight-threatening thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records from patients with sight-threatening TAO [definite or highly suspected dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON)] treated with ivGC (60 cases) and OD (25 cases) was conducted at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center between January 2001 and January 2009. Patients were initially treated with ivGC (ivGC group). If no significant improvement in visual function was obtained, they then received OD surgery (OD group). The pre- versus post-treatment efficacies of either ivGC or OD in these patients were assessed using several indices, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure, ocular alignment, ocular motility, and exophthalmos.

RESULTS

Nighty-one eyes had definite DON while 79 were considered to have highly suspected DON. In the ivGC group, 51 individuals (85.0%) eventually demonstrated normal vision, while 10 patients (16.7%) demonstrated a reduction in deviation (P<0.01), and 35 cases (58.3%) showed slight improvements in ocular motility (P<0.01). In OD group, visual acuity improved in 24 cases (96.0%, P<0.01) and all patients showed varying reductions of exophthalmos (mean: 4.35±1.13 mm, P<0.01). Eight cases (32.0%) experienced an 8-15 PD reduction of deviation and ocular motility improved in 12 cases (48.0%), while 3 patients (12.0%) developed new-onset strabismus with diplopia post-surgically (P<0.01). Patients were followed up at an average of 1.55±1.07y.

CONCLUSION

Both ivGC and OD show good therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of sight-threatening TAO. The presence of extremely poor eyesight (≥0.5logMAR) was corrected in some patients with ivGC alone, thus sparing these patients from subsequent OD surgery. In patients who were refractory to steroids, subsequent OD surgery often provided satisfactory outcomes, however, new-onset strabismus with diplopia was observed in 12.0% of these cases.

Hertel exophthalmometer versus computed tomography scan in proptosis estimation in thyroid-associated orbitopathy

Objective

To compare exophthalmometry measured by Hertel exophthalmometer versus computed tomography (CT) scan.

Methods

For this study, 133 patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) were analyzed retrospectively. Two experienced clinical observers independently measured proptosis using a Hertel exophthalmometer. The CT approaches used to measure proptosis included two previous methods and one new method. Method 1 used both lateral orbital rims-corneal surface in the axial plane, method 2 used lateral to medial orbital rims-corneal surface in the axial plane, and method 3 used superior to inferior orbital rims-corneal surface in the sagittal plane (new method). Patients were separated into two groups based on 2-mm differences in proptosis between eyes. Correlation analysis was performed to find the association between Hertel and CT values.

Results

The Pearson's coefficient (r) was 0.727 for Hertel exophthalmometry and CT method 1, 0.712 for Hertel and CT method 2, and 0.623 for Hertel and CT method 3. For patients with eye proptosis differences larger than 2 mm between eyes, Pearson's coefficient (r) was 0.495 for Hertel exophthalmometry and CT method 1, 0.634 for Hertel and CT method 2, and 0.635 for Hertel and CT method 3.

Conclusion

The three CT methods mentioned above had statistically significant relationships with Hertel exophthalmometry. Methods 2 and 3, which measured both eyes through different cut sections, had a significant relationship with Hertel values with eye proptosis differences larger than 2 mm. Thus, the new additive method may be effective for measuring proptosis in patients with differences greater than 2 mm between eyes.

The impact of orbital bony or fat decompression on the outcome of strabismus surgery in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To compare the outcomes of strabismus surgery in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) who had undergone bone removal orbital decompression (BROD) or fat removal orbital decompression (FROD) with those who had not undergone any orbital decompression.

METHODS

The records of patients with GO who underwent strabismus surgery over a period of 66 months were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine patients with a mean age of 55.1 ± 11.9 years were identified in this study. Twenty-two patients had prior BROD, 20 patients had prior FROD and 47 patients had no orbital decompression. Patients who had prior orbital decompression had an average of 1.6 strabismus surgeries per patient which was significantly higher compared to 1.2 strabismus surgeries in patients who had no orbital decompression (p = 0.02). The overall success rate of strabismus surgery was 68.2%, 80.0% and 80.9% following BROD, FROD and no orbital decompression respectively. The overall success rate of strabismus surgeries in patients with GO was 61% after the first surgery and 78% after the final surgery.

CONCLUSION

The management of strabismus in GO is complex and difficult. Prior orbital decompression is associated with more strabismus surgeries per patient with a trend towards a lower success rate for strabismus surgery. FROD is comparable to BROD with regards to its effects on the outcome of subsequent strabismus surgeries.

Double Vision After Minimally Invasive Orbital Decompression

INTRODUCTION

New onset Diplopia following orbital decompression in thyroid eye disease patients is estimated to occur in up to 30% to 40% of decompression patients, mostly related to deep lateral and medial wall decompressions.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all minimally invasive (fat and minimal bone orbital decompression performed at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute between 2005 and 2015. Inclusion criteria were thyroid eye disease patients older than 18 years undergoing fat only orbital decompression with no previous muscle surgery.

RESULTS

The chart review revealed only 5 patients with new onset diplopia after this surgery. The cases are discussed and a possible mechanism for the diplopia is proposed.

DISCUSSION

Double vision following minimally invasive orbital decompression is rare and the mechanisms are poorly understood.

Orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease: methods, outcomes, and complications

PurposeTo determine the safety and effectiveness of orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease (TED) in our unit. To put this in the context of previously published literature.Patients and methodsA retrospective case review of all patients undergoing orbital decompression for TED under the care of one orbital surgeon (SMS) between January 2009 and December 2015. A systematic literature review of orbital decompression for TED.ResultsWithin the reviewed period, 93 orbits of 55 patients underwent decompression surgery for TED. There were 61 lateral (single) wall decompressions, 17 medial one-and-a-half wall, 11 two-and-a-half wall, 2 balanced two wall, and 2 orbital fat only decompressions. For the lateral (single) wall decompressions, mean reduction in exophthalmometry (95% confidence interval (CI) was 4.2 mm (3.7-4.8), for the medial one-and-a-half walls it was 2.9 mm (2.1-3.7), and for the two-and-a-half walls it was 7.6 mm (5.8-9.4). The most common complications were temporary postoperative numbness (29% of lateral decompressions, 17% of other bony decompressions, OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.12-2.11) and new postoperative diplopia (9% of lateral decompressions, 39% of other bony decompressions, OR 6.8, 95% CI 1. 5-30.9). Systematic literature searching showed reduction in exophthalmometry for lateral wall surgery of 3.6-4.8 mm, with new diplopia 0-38% and postoperative numbness 12-50%. For other bony decompressions, reduction in exophthalmometry was 2.5-8.0 mm with new diplopia 0-45% and postoperative numbness up to 52%.ConclusionDiffering approaches to orbital decompression exist. If the correct type of surgery is chosen, then safe, adequate surgical outcomes can be achieved.

Advances in the management of thyroid eye diseases: An overview

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid eye disease (TED) remains a notorious ailment for both patients and the treating ophthalmologists. Recent years have witnessed considerable research in the immunopathogenic mechanism of TED that has resulted in an expansion and modification of the available management options.

AIM

Purpose of this review is to summarise the advances in the management of thyroid ophthalmopathy.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A thorough literature search and of the past 10 years web search with words Thyroid ophthalmopathy, recent, advances.

RESULTS

Recent VISA classification and new serum markers seem to have potential to give diagnostic as well as therapeutic guidance, gauge treatment response and even identify risk of disease progression. Majority of TED patients can be managed conservatively due to its self-limiting nature but if indicated, still steroids are the preferable medical therapy; however, there is an increasing consensus towards the use of parenteral form as compared to the oral one on account of greater efficacy with lesser side effects. Steroid sparing medications, for example, rituximab, infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, teprotumumab, tocilizumab, tanshinone, are showing encouraging results and form an area of active research.

CONCLUSION

Radiation therapy remains as an adjunctive modality in active diseases as a nonmedical treatment for TED with some promising data. Surgical intervention may be required in vision threatening conditions or to counteract the sequel of inflammatory phase. Advances in surgical techniques like stereotactic image-guided balanced orbital decompression with endoscopic approach ensure meticulous dissection with minimal trauma.

Fat-removal orbital decompression for thyroid associated orbitopathy: The right procedure for the right patient

Orbital decompression is an effective and invaluable procedure for addressing some of the chronic manifestations of Graves’ Ophthalmopathy (GO) such as exophthalmos and orbital congestion. Fat–removal orbital decompression (FROD) started to gain popularity after its introduction in the late 20th century. Among the therapeutic armamentarium of techniques and approaches available for orbital decompression, FROD has proven its efficacy and safety in addition to its ability to reduce proptosis in a relatively predictable manner. In addition, postoperative complications occurring after FROD are generally considered to be less frequent and less serious compared to bone-removal orbital decompression (BROD). Nevertheless, despite of FROD’s high benefit-to-risk ratio, proper selection of patients based on meticulous preoperative assessment, including imaging, is of paramount importance to achieve optimal functional and aesthetic results. Although up till now there is still no consensus regarding the procedure of choice in GO patients, FROD is an important option to consider in this subset of patients.

Long-term outcomes of orbital fat decompression in Graves’ orbitopathy

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy of orbital fat decompression in treating proptosis in Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO).

Methods

Retrospective review of 1604 eyes of 845 patients with symmetric (1518 eyes) and asymmetric (86 eyes) proptosis who received orbital fat decompression between 2003 and 2014. Changes in Hertel values were evaluated at baseline, 6 months postoperatively and yearly thereafter. Recurrence of proptosis, diplopia and other complications that required additional surgeries were documented and analysed. The surgical outcome was defined as complete success if there was proptosis reduction with no recurrence and improved or no diplopia. Partial success was considered if there was proptosis reduction without recurrence yet persistent or new-onset diplopia. Failure was considered if there was recurrence of proptosis regardless of diplopia. The patient’s quality of life was also evaluated as a long-term outcome.

Results

After follow-up for 37.9±24.4 months, 1365 eyes (85.1%) achieved complete success, 219 eyes (13.7%) achieved partial success and 20 eyes (1.2%) had failure. Newly onset diplopia and secondary decompression occurrence rate remained low at 3.3% and 0.6%, respectively. The total proptosis reduction was 4.1±1.3 mm, which was consistent all through the intermediate and long-term (5–10 years) follow-up. The amount of orbital fat removal (4.5±1.1 mL) played a significant role in the long-term Hertel change. Importantly, the overall quality of life increased significantly for GO patients after undergoing orbital fat decompression.

Conclusions

Orbital fat decompression has a long-term efficacy in correcting disfiguring proptosis with a low complication rate and without the need of secondary decompression procedures. This was also associated with a significant improvement in quality of life.

Orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease

The literature regarding orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease is vast, spanning multiple specialty areas including neurosurgery, head and neck, maxillofacial, and ophthalmic plastic surgery. Although techniques have advanced considerably over the more than 100 years during which this procedure has been performed, the 4 major approaches remain: transorbital, transcranial, transantral, and transnasal. The explosion in literature related to orbital decompression has mostly involved minor technical variations on broader surgical themes. The purpose of this review is to organize the major approaches in terms of bony anatomy and to contextualize variation in transdisciplinary techniques within a common conceptualization.

The effect of orbital decompression surgery on interpupillary distance and angle kappa in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy

PURPOSE

The purpose was to investigate the effects of orbital decompression surgery on postoperative changes in interpupillary distance (IPD) and angle kappa in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO).

METHODS

In patients with TAO who underwent orbital decompression surgery between January 1, 2014 and February 21, 2016, we measured exopthalmometry, IPD, inner intercanthal distance (IICD) and outer intercanthal distance (OICD) using a computer software program and angle kappa with an ORB scan II. We then analyzed preoperative and 3-month postoperative exophthalmometry, IPD, IICD, OICD and angle kappa to evaluate changes in eye position or rotation of the eyeball following orbital decompression surgery.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients (35 women and 19 men) with a mean age of 34.59 (range, 16-64 years) were enrolled in this study. After decompression surgery, the IPD was significantly decreased by 1.76 mm (preoperative, 63.14 ± 3.93 mm; postoperative, 61.38 ± 3.84 mm; P < 0.001), but angle kappa, IICD, and OICD did not vary significantly (P = 0.814, P = 0.635 and P = 0.092, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant decrease in IPD was noted after orbital decompression in patients with TAO. However, there was no significant change in angle kappa. Therefore, the mechanism of change in the IPD is not an inward rotation of the eyeball, but rather an actual dorsal shift causing a wedging of the eye position itself within the orbit.

Surgical Outcomes of Balanced Deep Lateral and Medial Orbital Wall Decompression in Korean Population: Clinical and Computed Tomography-based Analysis

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of balanced deep lateral and medial orbital wall decompression and to estimate surgical effects using computed tomography (CT) images in Korean patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).

Methods

Retrospective chart review was conducted in TAO patients with exophthalmos who underwent balanced deep lateral and medial orbital wall decompression. Exophthalmos was measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 and 3 months. Postoperative complications were evaluated in all study periods. In addition, decompressed bone volume was estimated using CT images. Thereafter, decompression volume in each decompressed orbital wall was analyzed to evaluate the surgical effect and predictability.

Results

Twenty-four patients (48 orbits) with an average age of 34.08 ± 7.03 years were evaluated. The mean preoperative and postoperative exophthalmos at 1 and 3 months was 18.91 ± 1.43, 15.10 ± 1.53, and 14.91 ± 1.49 mm, respectively. Bony decompression volume was 0.80 ± 0.29 cm³ at the medial wall and 0.68 ± 0.23 cm³ at the deep lateral wall. Postoperative complications included strabismus (one patient, 2.08%), upper eyelid fold change (four patients, 8.33%), and dysesthesia (four patients, 8.33%). Postsurgical exophthalmos reduction was more highly correlated with the deep lateral wall than the medial wall.

Conclusions

In TAO patients with exophthalmos, balanced deep lateral and medial orbital wall decompression is a good surgical method with a low-risk of complications. In addition, deep lateral wall decompression has higher surgical predictability than medial wall decompression, as seen with CT analysis.

Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Resolving After Orbital Decompression in Thyroid Eye Disease

A 49-year-old male presented with proptosis and was found to have optic nerve edema with peripapillary hemorrhages. Diagnostic testing showed a suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone. CT orbits showed homogenous tendon-sparing enlargement of the medial and inferior rectus muscles, characteristic of thyroid eye disease. Intravenous methylprednisolone was administered given the concern for compressive optic neuropathy. He initially had improvement of his symptoms, so orbital decompression was deferred. Subsequently he presented with worsening diplopia and right proptosis, a new afferent pupillary defect, and a cecocentral visual field defect. Dilated examination revealed significant optic nerve head edema and diffuse retinal hemorrhages in all 4 quadrants consistent with a central retinal vein occlusion. The patient underwent an urgent 3-wall orbital decompression on the right. Close follow up postoperatively showed resolution of the central retinal vein occlusion and the associated optic disc edema, peripapillary hemorrhages, and macular edema. Orbital decompression is known to improve many manifestations of thyroid eye disease, but this is the first report of orbital decompression resulting in resolution of a central retinal vein occlusion.

Critical Appraisal on Orbital Decompression for Thyroid Eye Disease: A Systematic Review and Literature Search

INTRODUCTION

Orbital decompression is the indicated procedure for addressing exophthalmos and compressive optic neuropathy in thyroid eye disease. There are an abundance of techniques for removal of orbital bone, fat, or a combination published in the scientific literature. The relative efficacy and complications of these interventions in relation to the specific indications remain as yet undocumented. We performed a systematic review of the current published evidence for the effectiveness of orbital decompression, possible complications, and impact on quality of life.

METHODS

We searched the current databases for medical literature and controlled trials, oculoplastic textbooks, and conference proceedings to identify relevant data up to February 2015. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing two or more interventions for orbital decompression.

RESULTS

We identified only two eligible RCTs for inclusion in the review. As a result of the significant variability between studies on decompression, i.e., methodology and outcome measures, we did not perform a meta-analysis. One study suggests that the transantral approach and endonasal technique had similar effects in reducing exophthalmos but the latter is safer. The second study provides evidence that intravenous steroids may be superior to primary surgical decompression in the management of compressive optic neuropathy requiring less secondary surgical procedures.

CONCLUSION

Most of the published literature on orbital decompression consists of retrospective, uncontrolled trials. There is evidence from those studies that removal of the medial and lateral wall (balanced) and the deep lateral wall decompression, with or without fat removal, may be the most effective surgical methods with only few complications. There is a clear unmet need for controlled trials evaluating the different techniques for orbital decompression. Ideally, future studies should address the effectiveness, possible complications, quality of life, and cost of each intervention.

Endoscopical Orbital Fat Decompression with Medial Orbital Wall Decompression for Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy

OBJECTIVE

To describe a novel approach to orbital decompression for dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON).

METHODS

An augmented endoscopic transethmoid medial orbital wall decompression (ETMOWD) was performed on 43 consecutive patients (72 eyes) with DON in order to access the orbital apex adequately. Concurrently, endoscopic transethmoid fat decompression (ETFD) using a novel aspiration/cutting instrument to remove orbital fat was performed for further reduction of proptosis. All patients were followed up periodically for at least 6 months. Outcomes such as improvement of visual acuity (VA), color vision, degree of proptosis reduction as well as the incidence of surgical induced diplopia were analyzed at the final review.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine out of 72 eyes (95.8%) had a statistically significant improvement in VA from -0.65 ± 0.30 to -0.25 ± 0.22 postoperatively, with a mean improvement of 0.55 ± 0.17 (p < 0.001). Thirty-four out of 45 eyes had an improvement in color vision (p < 0.001). The range of proptosis reduction was 4 to 9 mm (mean 6.2 ± 1.2 mm). Postoperative symmetry was achieved to within 2 mm using an exophthalmometer in 39 of 43 patients (90.7%). Five patients developed diplopia in the postoperative phase, but had complete resolution within 3 months. Two patients had further deterioration in their diplopia following surgery.

CONCLUSION

Our technique of a combined ETFD with ETMOWD appears to be effective in managing patients with DON, with minimal morbidities and a low incidence of postoperative diplopia.

Endoscopic medial orbital fat decompression for proptosis in type 1 graves orbitopathy

PURPOSE

To describe the surgical technique for endoscopic medial orbital fat decompression in type 1 (lipogenic) Graves orbitopathy and report outcomes.

DESIGN

Retrospective interventional case review.

METHODS

We reviewed 108 patients (206 orbits) with inactive, type 1 Graves orbitopathy without diplopia, who underwent endoscopic medial orbital fat decompression solely for proptosis reduction. Following endoscopic transethmoid medial orbital wall decompression, extraconal and intraconal orbital fat was removed with a low-suction cutting instrument. All patients were followed up for at least 12 months. Surgical time, preoperative and postoperative Hertel exophthalmometry, incidence of postoperative diplopia within 30-degree visual field in the primary gaze, and other complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean surgical time was 97.7 ± 16.7 minutes (67-136 minutes). The mean follow-up was 16.0 ± 4.2 months (12-24 months). Preoperative and postoperative proptosis values at final review were 21.1 ± 2.3 mm (17-26 mm) and 13.0 ± 0.9 mm (12-15 mm), respectively (P < .001). Median reduction in proptosis was 8.0 mm with mean of 8.2 ± 1.8 mm (4-11 mm). Symmetry to within 2 mm was achieved in 106 of 108 patients (98.1%). Twenty-five of 108 patients (23.1%) had diplopia within 30-degree visual field of the gaze, and 23 of these had complete resolution within 3 months, while the remaining 2 patients required squint surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic medial orbital fat decompression may be an effective technique for proptosis in selected patients with type 1 Graves orbitopathy and is associated with a low rate of surgically induced diplopia.

Orbital Lipomatosis: A Complication of Steroid Therapy in the Sweet Syndrome

The description of a Sweet syndrome steroid dependant-induced orbital lipomatosis is reported. A 76-year-old-man with history of Sweet syndrome presented with severe bilateral proptosis (Hertel value, 25 mm) with decreased visual acuity and evoked potentials lengthened. A bilateral transpalpebral orbital decompression was performed by resection of intraorbital fat without bone removal. The surgery was uneventful. The volume of resected orbital fat was 15 ml for both sides. Proptosis reduction was 6 mm. Postoperative Hertel values were 19 mm, and evoked potentials were improved. The proptosis was managed successfully. Orbital lipectomy led to minimal sequelae and may be repeated if necessary in this case.

Surgical effects of various orbital decompression methods in thyroid-associated orbitopathy: computed tomography-based comparative analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the surgical effects of orbital fat decompression and bony decompression in each orbital wall using computed tomography (CT) in thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO).

METHODS

In 27 TAO patients (48 orbits) with exophthalmos who underwent orbital wall decompression combined with fatty decompression, we recorded the resected orbital fat volume intraoperatively and estimated the decompression volume of the orbital wall in the deep lateral, medial and inferior walls using postoperative orbit CT images. Then, the correlation between exophthalmos reduction by Hertel reading and decompression volume in each area was analyzed to validate the surgical predictability, surgical efficiency and contribution level to total exophthalmos reduction.

RESULTS

The decompression volume in orbital fat and the deep lateral wall showed relatively high correlation with exophthalmos reduction (surgical predictability) compared to medial and inferior wall. The surgical efficiency was highest at deep lateral wall (2.704 ± 0.835 mm/cm(3)), followed by medial wall (0.892 ± 0.527 mm/cm(3)), orbital fat (0.638 ± 0.178 mm/cm(3)) and inferior wall (0.405 ± 0.996 mm/cm(3)). The actual contribution level to total exophthalmos reduction was highest in fatty decompression, followed by deep lateral decompression.

CONCLUSION

In TAO patients with exophthalmos, orbital fat and deep lateral orbital wall are more predictable and contributory surgical targets for postsurgical exophthalmos reduction.

Graded decompression of orbital fat and wall in patients with Graves' orbitopathy

Purpose

To investigate the results of graded decompression of orbital fat and walls in Graves' orbitopathy (GO) considering the degree of proptosis reduction at surgery and preoperative computed tomography (CT) findings.

Methods

This is a retrospective interventional case series. Graded orbital fat and wall decompression was performed in 90 orbits of 55 patients. In patients with enlarged extraocular muscles and minimal orbital fat proliferation in preoperative CT scans, one- or two-wall decompression of posterior orbit was performed with minimal fat excision. In other cases, the maximal amount of fat tissue was removed from the post-septal area to the apex. If the proptosis was not satisfactorily symmetrically reduced at surgery, one- or two-wall decompression was performed successively. Symmetric reduction of proptosis was consistently confirmed intraoperatively to assure that a desired amount of exophthalmos reduction was achieved.

Results

Four types of decompression were performed: fat only (group 1), fat and one-wall (group 2), fat and two-wall (group 3), and two-wall and minimal fat decompression (group 4). The mean preoperative Hertel value (20.6 ± 2.8 mm) was reduced significantly at six months postoperatively (16.1 ± 2.3 mm). Proptosis significantly decreased with a mean of 4.3 ± 1.7 mm, and the reduction was greatest (5.1 ± 2.1 mm) in group 3. In group 1, a significant correlation between Hertel change and the volume of resected orbital fat was found (r = 0.479). Diplopia was newly developed or aggravated postoperatively in eight patients, and six of these patients were in group 3. With the exception of one patient, visual acuity improved to nearly normal postoperatively in all patients with optic neuropathy.

Conclusions

Graded orbital decompression of orbital fat and bony walls, as assessed by the degree of proptosis reduction during surgery, was effective and predictable with minimal complications in GO patients with vision-threatening or cosmetically disfiguring proptosis.

Correction of lower lid retraction using tarSys bioengineered grafts for graves ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy of decellularized porcine-derived membrane (tarSys; IOP Inc), a bioengineered eyelid spacer graft, for lower lid retraction correction in patients with Graves ophthalmopathy.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational case series study.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of patients with Graves ophthalmopathy undergoing lower eyelid retraction surgery using decellularized porcine-derived membrane bioengineered eyelid spacer grafts from 2008 through 2011. Outcome measures included lower eyelid height (measured from the corneal light reflex to the lower eyelid margin, or marginal reflex distance-2 [MRD2]), reduction of lagophthalmos, cosmetic appearance, complications, and need for further surgery. Presurgery and postreconstruction photographs were reviewed for functional and cosmetic outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 32 Graves patients and 37 eyelids underwent lower eyelid retraction surgery using decellularized porcine-derived membrane. There were 10 male and 22 female patients with mean age of 41.8 ± 8.6 years. Mean improvement in MRD2 was 1.4 ± 0.4 mm. Mean reduction of lagophthalmos was 1.3 ± 0.4 mm. There are statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative MRD2 and lagophthalmos (paired t test, both P < .0001). No evidence of infection and corneal erosion was noted and none of the patients needed further surgeries. Prolonged lower lid swelling and slight puffy appearance were noted for 6 patients. The swelling and puffy appearance resolved completely 3 months after surgery. Conjunctival granuloma formation was found in 1 patient. The cosmetic result was satisfactory in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Decellularized porcine-derived membrane, a bioengineered graft, is effective for the management of lower lid retraction in patients with Graves ophthalmopathy. It can offer an alternate graft for eyelid reconstruction.

Long-term outcomes of unilateral orbital fat decompression for thyroid eye disease

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes after unilateral orbital fat decompression in patients with thyroid eye disease.

DESIGN

Retrospective, comparative, cross-sectional study

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-three orbits of 33 patients were included in this study. Of the 33 patients, 13 underwent fat decompression (group A), and the other 20 had bony decompression (group B).

METHODS

The medical records of patients who underwent orbital decompression to reduce proptosis for thyroid eye disease were retrospectively reviewed. The degrees of proptosis were measured by Hertel exophthalmometry preoperatively and over a follow-up period of more than 3 years. We evaluated the change in proptosis after surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative change in exophthalmos.

RESULTS

A recurrence in proptosis from fat decompression was seen in ten patients (76.9 %) in group A and in only two patients (10 %) in group B. The amount of regression due to surgery after 3 years was 2.3 ± 1.4 mm and 0.7 ± 0.9 mm in groups A and B respectively. The tendency of regression was more prominent in group A than in group B.

CONCLUSION

The long-term effect of unilateral orbital fat decompression for the reduction of proptosis in patients with thyroid eye disease may be weak, leading to regression. Care should be taken when determining the extent of fat decompression with consideration for this tendency.

Correlation of retrobulbar volume change with resected orbital fat volume and proptosis reduction after fatty decompression for Graves ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the correlation of retrobulbar volume change, resected orbital fat volume, and proptosis reduction after fatty decompression.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional and prospective study.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients (44 orbits) with Graves ophthalmopathy underwent fatty decompression. Preoperative orbital computed tomography (CT) imaging with a 2-mm cut was compared with postoperative imaging carried out 6 months after fatty decompression. The relationship of retrobulbar volume change, resected orbital fat volume, and proptosis reduction was analyzed by Pearson correlation. Linear regression was performed using resected fat volume or proptosis reduction as independent variables and retrobulbar volume change as a dependent variable to validate the effect of fatty decompression.

RESULTS

Mean proptosis reduction was 4.1 ± 0.9 mm. Mean volume of resected orbital fat was 4.4 ± 1.2 mL. Mean retrobulbar volume change in computed tomographic imaging was 3.2 ± 1.0 cm(3). The change in retrobulbar volume was correlated strongly with proptosis reduction and volume of resected orbital fat. Linear regression revealed the following equation for Retrobulbar volume change: 0.546 × Hertel change + 0.945 or 0.293 × Volume of resected orbital fat + 1.917.

CONCLUSIONS

Fatty decompression can reduce proptosis for patients with disfiguring Graves ophthalmopathy. Because of the close correlation of retrobulbar volume change with volume of resected orbital fat and proptosis reduction, we propose that orbital fat removal may be accompanied by decreased retrobulbar volume after fatty decompression. Evidence of decreased retrobulbar volume may result in effective proptosis reduction.

The eye and thyroid disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The pathophysiology and optimal management of thyroid eye disease (TED) have not yet been elucidated. Recent studies have increased our knowledge of the disease process and different diagnostic and therapeutic options. This review highlights the recent progress in TED research and identifies areas requiring further advancements.

RECENT FINDINGS

The pathophysiology of TED likely involves genetic and environmental factors, which may potentiate cellular and humoral-mediated inflammation within the orbit. Despite progress in TED research, a target antigen has not been established with certainty. New diagnostic methods and questionnaires are being developed that potentially provide information regarding inflammatory activity of TED. Corticosteroids alone or in combination with orbital radiation may be effective in improving TED symptoms. New immunomodulating therapies may also have a role TED management. Surgery is highly effective for treatment of TED-induced optic nerve compression and for managing the chronic soft tissue changes of TED.

SUMMARY

A unifying hypothesis of TED pathophysiology is elusive. Further bench research into the autoimmune process is needed. In addition, large, prospective, randomized clinical trials based on the inflammatory activity of disease, while difficult to design, are essential to develop a consensus regarding the proper timing and use of anti-inflammatory medications.