Follow-up of extended pterional orbital decompression in severe Graves' ophthalmopathy

Update on the surgical management of Graves' orbitopathy

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a complex autoimmune disorder of the orbit that causes the eye to appear disfigured. GO is typically associated with Graves' disease, an inflammatory autoimmune condition that is caused by thyrotropin receptor autoantibodies. Although our knowledge of the pathophysiology of GO has improved, its exact pathogenesis remains unclear. Some patients suffer from disfigurement, double vision, and even vision loss rather than hyperthyroidism. The disease severity and activity prompt different treatments, as the signs of GO are heterogeneous, so their management can be very complex. Despite medical advances, the first-line treatment for moderate-to-severe active GO is still glucocorticoids, while surgery can be critical for the treatment of chronic inactive GO. Surgery is sometimes required in the acute phase of the disease when there is an immediate risk to vision, such as in dysthyroid optic neuropathy. Most surgeries for GO are rehabilitative and subdivided into three categories: decompression, strabismus repair, and lid surgery. This review is a basic overview of the field, with up-to-date knowledge of the surgical techniques for GO. We review and summarize recent literature on the advances in surgery for GO to provide up-to-date insights on the optimal surgical treatment for GO.

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.

Surgical management of the orbit in thyroid eye disease: lateral orbital decompression

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Lateral orbital wall decompression is one of many well established techniques available to surgeons in management of patients with clinically significant thyroid eye disease (TED). Several different surgical approaches have been described in the literature and are reviewed herein.

RECENT FINDINGS

Lateral orbital wall decompression remains a popular technique for surgical management of TED, with a recent American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery survey showing that 22.6% of respondents preferred a single-wall procedure, with 36.8% of that subset preferring lateral wall decompression alone. Surgical techniques for lateral orbital wall decompression differ based on several steps, such as the incisional approach, whether to take an ab-interno versus ab-externo approach, and whether to remove orbital fat to achieve further decompression. In addition, technological advances have produced an array of tools available to the orbital surgeon to achieve efficient and accurate bone removal.

SUMMARY

Lateral orbital wall decompression for TED, despite being an older technique, remains a popular and well established procedure for orbital decompression. Though no randomized controlled clinical trial supports one decompression technique over another for TED, lateral orbital wall decompression offers many benefits such as its ease of access and visualization of the orbital space.

[Orbital decompression in Graves' orbitopathy-Experiences and results]

Hintergrund

Die endokrine Orbitopathie ist die häufigste extrathyreoidale Manifestation des Morbus Basedow und tritt bei schätzungsweise 25–50 % der betroffenen Patienten auf. Krankheitsbedingt kommt es zu einer entzündlichen Schwellung der Orbitaweichteile. Die Behandlung erfolgt meist konservativ. Bei schweren Fällen mit beeinträchtigendem Exophthalmus oder akuter, steroidrefraktärer Visusbedrohung kann eine chirurgische Orbitadekompression die Beschwerden der Patienten lindern oder das Sehvermögen erhalten. Ein wesentlicher Aspekt der Versorgungsqualität besteht in der Vermeidung postoperativer Doppelbilder.

Ziel der Arbeit

Erfahrungs- und Ergebnisbericht von 100 chirurgischen Orbitadekompressionen bei 62 Patienten an einem interdisziplinären Orbitazentrum. Patienten mit Kompression der Orbitaspitze wurden mittels pterionaler Dekompression behandelt. Patienten ohne Hinweise auf Orbitaspitzenbeteiligung wurden mittels tiefer lateraler Wandresektion oder pterionaler Dekompression behandelt.

Methodik

Retrospektive Datenanalyse.

Ergebnisse

Die mittlere Exophthalmusreduktion betrug 2,9 mm. Augen mit visusbedrohendem Schweregrad gewannen im Mittel 2,2 Zeilen an Sehschärfe, der Visus bei rehabilitativer Indikation blieb stabil. Die Komplikationsrate betrug 4 %. Neue Doppelbilder wurden nach 2 Eingriffen beobachtet. Bei einem Patienten kam es zu einer Visusminderung von 0,8 auf 0,1. In 9 Fällen führte die Operation zu einem vollständigen Rückgang zuvor beklagter Doppelbilder.

Diskussion

Visusgewinn, Exophthalmusreduktion und Komplikationsrate sind in diesem Kollektiv vergleichbar mit zuvor publizierten Arbeiten. Diese Studie bestätigt die Rolle der Orbitadekompression bei visusbedrohender und schwer beeinträchtigender endokriner Orbitopathie.

Deep lateral orbital decompression for Graves orbitopathy: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To systematically review the literature on the deep lateral orbital decompression (DLD).

METHODS

The authors searched the MEDLINE, Lilac, Scopus, and EMBASE databases for all articles in English, Spanish, and French that used as keywords the terms orbital decompression and lateral wall. Two articles in German were also included. Data retrieved included the number of patients and orbits operated, types of the approach employed, exophthalmometric and horizontal eye position changes, and complications. The 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the mean Hertel changes induced by the surgery were calculated from series with 15 or more data.

RESULTS

Of the 204 publications initially retrieved, 131 were included. Detailed surgical techniques were analyzed from 59 articles representing 4559 procedures of 2705 patients. In 45.8% of the reports, the orbits were decompressed ab-interno. Ab-externo and rim-off techniques were used in 25.4% and 28.8% of the orbits, respectively. Mean and 95% CI intervals of Hertel changes, pooled from 15 articles, indicate that the effect of the surgery is not related to the technique and ranges from 2.5 to 4.5 mm. The rate of new onset of diplopia varied from zero to 8.6%. Several complications have been reported including dry eye, oscillopsia, temporal howling, lateral rectus damage, and bleeding. Unilateral amaurosis and subdural hematoma have been described in only one patients each.

CONCLUSIONS

The low rate of new-onset diplopia is the main benefit of DLD. Prospective studies are needed to compare the rate of complications induced by the 3 main surgical techniques used.

Pterional Orbit Decompression in Grave Disease with Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy

OBJECTIVE

The choice of surgical technique in sight-threatening Grave orbitopathy remains controversial. Available data are mostly derived from mixed cohorts with multiple surgical indications and techniques. The authors assessed predictors for visual outcome after standardized pterional orbital decompression for dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 62 pterional orbital decompressions performed on 40 patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

RESULTS

Visual acuity improved by an average of 3.8 lines in eyes with preoperative visual impairment (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8-5.8 lines, P < 0.001) and remained stable in eyes without prior visual impairment (95% CI -1.3 to 1 line, P = 0.81). Proptosis was reduced by an average of 3.1 mm (95% CI 1.8-4.3 mm, P < 0.001). Higher degrees of proptosis were predictive of worse visual outcomes (P = 0.017). New-onset diplopia developed in 2 patients, while previous diplopia resolved after surgery in 6 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This cohort is the largest series of pterional orbit decompressions and the first to focus exclusively on dysthyroid neuropathy. Complication rates were low. Decompression surgery was highly effective at restoring and maintaining visual acuity in patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

Strategies in Surgical Decompression for Thyroid Eye Disease

Surgical management of thyroid eye disease- (TED-) associated morbidity has been plagued by the complex interplay of different operative techniques. Orbital decompression is the well-recognized procedure for disfiguring exophthalmos and dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). There are numerous published techniques described for the removal of the orbital bone, fat, or a combination. The diverse studies are noncomparative as they include different indications, stages of disease, and methods of evaluation. Thus, it is difficult to conclude the most efficient decompression technique. To obtain effective and predictable results, it is therefore important to propose a logical and acceptable clinical guideline to customize patient treatment. Herein, we developed an algorithm based on the presence of DON, preoperative existing diplopia, and severity of proptosis which were defined by patient's disabling symptoms together with a set of ocular signs reflecting visual function or cosmesis. More specifically, we aimed to assess the minimal but effective surgical technique with acceptable potential complications to achieve therapeutic efficacy. Transcaruncular or inferomedial decompressions are indicated in restoring optic nerve function in patients with DON associated with mild or moderate to severe proptosis, respectively. Inferomedial or fatty decompressions are effective to treat patients with existing diplopia associated with mild or moderate to severe proptosis, respectively. Fatty or balanced decompressions can improve disfiguring exophthalmos in patients without existing diplopia associated with mild to moderate or severe proptosis, respectively. Inferomedial or 3-wall decompressions are preferred to address facial rehabilitation in patients associated with very severe proptosis but without preoperative diplopia.

Postoperative Changes in Strabismus, Ductions, Exophthalmometry, and Eyelid Retraction After Orbital Decompression for Thyroid Orbitopathy

INTRODUCTION

Surgical rehabilitation of thyroid orbitopathy involves reducing proptosis, treating strabismus, lengthening the eyelids, and managing aesthetic changes. Not all are necessary in each patient; however, they often are. The current investigation intends to describe postdecompression changes that may influence the staging of these procedures.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, records of 169 patients who underwent orbital decompression between 1983 and 2001 were reviewed. A single orbital specialist confirmed all measurements. Time to follow up was defined as the most recent follow up after decompression and prior to any secondary procedures. No strabismus or eyelid surgery was performed at the time of decompression. Strabismus was measured with alternating prism cover test. Ductions were estimated utilizing Hirschberg's method. Exophthalmometry was measured with Hertel. Eyelid positions were defined relative to the pupillary light reflex. Strabismus data were analyzed within eye pairs. Ductions, exophthalmometry and eyelid position were analyzed for each eye. T-test for paired data was utilized to compare means pre- and postoperatively.

RESULTS

The study population was on average 45 years old and 73.4% women. Average length of follow up was 1.2 years. Esotropia was significantly increased after decompression by an average of 8.1 prism diopters (p < 0.01). Exotropia and vertical deviations were not significantly altered. Ductions decreased by >5 degrees in at least one meridian for 68.1% of the population. Upper eyelid retraction remained unchanged; however, lower eyelid retraction improved by 50% from 1.4 mm to 0.7 mm (p < 0.01). Exophthalmometry improved from 23.5 mm to 19.7 mm (p < 0.01), and this result was correlated with the number of walls removed (Pearson r = -0.302, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

On average, esotropia and ductions tend to worsen with decompression surgery. This result supports the clinical dictum to avoid strabismus surgery until after decompression. The improvement in lower eyelid retraction suggests that at least lower eyelid-lengthening surgery should be reserved for after decompression, as there may be significant spontaneous improvement, while the same may not be true for upper eyelid retraction, which does not tend to change with decompression.

Surgical complications in orbital decompression for Graves' orbitopathy

The objective of this study is to analyse the complications of orbital decompression in Graves' orbitopathy. The clinical records of 946 patients who had been operated on with orbital decompression for Graves' orbitopathy were reviewed and the intra- and post-operative complications with minimum follow-up of six months were analysed. An extensive review of the literature was carried out to compare results. In the case-series reported here the most frequent complications were: wasting of the temporal region (100%) in patients operated on using a coronal approach; permanent hypoesthesia of V2 (13%) and V1 (8%) in patients operated on with an upper eyelid incision. In only one patient was a total monolateral lesion of V2 reported. The most severe complications consisted in reduction of visual acuity in 5 patients, and CSF leak with cerebral complications in 2 patients, who were operated on with a non-endoscopic endonasal approach. Three patients had intra-operative haemorrhages and 3 patients had post-operative haemorrhages requiring further surgical intervention. The incidence of symptomatic sinusitis/mucoceles was 0.75%. In conclusion, orbital decompression carried out with endoscopic endonasal technique and via transpalpebral accesses appears to be associated with a low incidence of complications. Knowledge of the causes of the possible complications in the different surgical approaches can definitely help to reduce their incidence.

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.

Myeloid sarcoma: a rare case of an orbital mass mimicking orbital pseudotumor requiring neurosurgical intervention

Objective. A rare case of myeloid sarcoma (MS), previously referred to as granulocytic sarcoma or chloroma, is presented. Representing a unique form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), MS may rarely occur in adults. Even rarer, MS may occur as the initial presentation of AML. Methods. We report a singular and illustrative case of an orbital pseudotumor mimicking mass in a 65-year-old male as the initial presentation of AML. Results. Neurosurgical intervention was required to establish the definitive diagnosis via right modified orbitofrontozygomatic craniotomy as well as to decompress the optic canal, superior orbital fissure, and orbit. Conclusion. Postoperatively, he reported decreased pain and improvement of his vision. Further examination revealed decreased proptosis and improved extraocular mobility. Pathological findings demonstrated MS. We review the literature and discuss the neurosurgical relevance of MS as the initial presentation of AML.

[Surgical therapy in Graves' orbitopathy]

Surgical therapy of Graves' orbitopathy comprises orbital decompression as well as strabismus and lid surgery. The former is primarily carried out during active disease, the latter during inactive disease. Orbital decompression abates increased intraorbital pressure and is thus applicable against dysthyroid optic neuropathy and also reduces exophthalmos. The choice of a specific procedure depends mainly on the experience of the respective center. In this article, the pterional transcranial, transnasal transethmoidal, transconjunctival and swinging eyelid approaches are presented. Eye muscle recession relieves the abnormal tension of fibrotic muscles and thus corrects diplopia. Compared to normal strabismus surgery, the dose-response relationship is increased. Lid lengthening surgery is applied to counter upper or lower lid retraction. If several of these operations are necessary the order is chosen in such a way that downstream procedures cannot change specific results of upstream operations.

Diplopia and strabismus following ocular surgeries

Postoperative diplopia and strabismus may result from a variety of ocular surgical procedures. Common underlying mechanisms include sensory disturbance, scarring, direct extraocular muscle injury, myotoxicity from injections of local anesthesia or antibiotics, and malpositioning of extraocular muscles by implant materials. The most common patterns are vertical and horizontal motility disturbance. Treatment options include prisms, botulinum, occlusion, or surgery.

Ophthalmological evaluation in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an autoimmune disorder associated with Graves' disease and can seriously decrease quality of life. Current therapeutic regimens have considerable side-effects and are not always able to restore normal function and appearance. Timing and a proper choice of therapy are critical but require careful patient evaluation. The present paper aims to describe clinical symptoms and signs of TAO and their relevance for management.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy has an initial active inflammatory phase which usually lasts for 6-24 months but which may not infrequently continue for several years. The severity of the subsequent clinical manifestations is determined by the degree of optic nerve involvement, corneal involvement, eye muscle dysfunction and exophthalmus, and also by the degree of subjective illness and disfigurement. Disease severity is the key determinant of indication for therapy, while inflammatory activity is the key determinant of therapeutic choice. Immunosuppressive therapy may be used in the inflammatory stage, while reconstructive surgery should be postponed to the inactive phase. Emergency surgery may be needed for vision-threatening situations during the active stage.

Thyroid and the eye

Any thyroid cancer can metastasize to the uveal tract, even after decades; medullary thyroid cancer can be part of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome. Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis and lagophthalmos are prognostic markers for more severe thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). The restrictive ophthalmopathy of TAO may be associated with more sustained ocular hypertension and require topical therapy. Several new studies address the therapy of TAO, ranging from retrobulbar to oral to intravenous glucocorticoids, alone or combined with radiotherapy. Endonasal decompression of the posterior orbit can be done well for severe optic nerve compression; however, leaving the anterior orbital septum intact can minimize postoperative diplopia. Smoking increases the risk and relapse rate for ophthalmopathy. Thyrotropin receptor antigen on fibroblasts diffusely in the body is causative in TAO and pretibial myxedema with even increased urinary secretion of glycosaminoglycans. Corticosteroid-responsive patients show a sustained up-regulation of the Th1/Th2 profile.