Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare color Doppler imaging (CDI) parameters of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) in patients with Congestive Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) before and after treatment (orbital decompression and/or corticosteroids) of the orbitopathy.
Methods: :
Twenty two orbits of 12 patients with congestive phase of Graves' Orbitopathy were evaluated using CDI of the superior ophthalmic vein before and 6 months or later after treatment of the congestive orbitopathy. Twelve orbits were from patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy. Treatment consisted of orbital decompression in 16 orbits and corticosteroids in 6 orbits. The findings before and after treatment were compared.
Results: :
In the congestive disease SOV flow was detected and anteroposterior in 14, detected and reverse in 4 and undetectable in 5. After treatment SOV flow was detected and anteroposterior in 19 and undetected in 1 orbit (p<0.05). Comparison of SOV flow parameters revealed a significant difference between the groups regarding maximum SOV flow velocity. SOV flow was significantly reduced in the congestive phase compared to SOV flow parameters after treatment.
Conclusions: :
SOV is significantly reduced in orbits with congestive GO when compared to normals. SOV reduction is significantly improved after treatment of the acute orbitopathy. SOV congestion may be a contributing pathogenic factor in the both congestive phase of Grave's bitopathy.
Clinical Trial: :
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00697528
Keywords: orbit • optic flow • clinical research methodology