Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1997 Nov;40(11):1665-1670.

A Case of Transnasal Endoscopic Orbital Decompression in Grave's Ophthalmopathy

• Jeong TY
• Jeun JK
• Koo GY
• Kim ST

Abstract

Grave's disease is an autoimmune disorder and affects thyroid gland and orbit. Ocular manifestations of this disease, referred to as Grave's ophthalmopathy are caused by deposition of antithyroglobulin immune complexes into extraocular muscles and orbital fats. Consequent increase in volume of orbital contents results in exopthalmos. Severe exopthalmos results in several significant visual consequences as follows: exposure keratitis, diplopia and optic neuropathy. Orbital decompression for Grave's ophthalmopathy has traditionally been performed through either an external or a transantral approach. The advent of intranasal endoscopes allowed for the development of a transnasal approach for medial and inferior orbital wall decompression. Recently, the authors experienced a case of Grave's ophthalmopathy complicated with exposure keratitis and performed endoscopic transnasal orbital decompression, so report this case with a review of literature.

Keyword

Grave's ophthalmopathy; Endoscopic decompression

MeSH Terms

Antigen-Antibody Complex
Decompression*
Diplopia
Endoscopes
Fats
Keratitis
Muscles
Optic Nerve Diseases
Orbit*
Thyroid Gland
Antigen-Antibody Complex
Fats