[Aspects of exophthalmos in relation to treatment for dysthyroid ophthalmopathy]

257 eyes of 135 patients with dysthyroid ophthalmopathy were treated with steroids and/or radiation. Steroid therapy consisted of 100-150 mg betamethasone given intravenously and orally. Radiation therapy was conducted with 1.5 Gy Lineac delivered to the retrobulbar tissue from two directions once a day for a period of 10 days. In combination therapy, the above two therapies were performed simultaneously. Exophthalmos and the new index of the c/o ratio (c/o ratio; defined as the content of the orbit divided by the capacity of the bony orbit) were measured on CT films and followed for 1 or 2 years in order to evaluate the effectiveness of these therapeutic modalities. Combination therapy yielded the best results among these therapies. Steroid therapy yielded good results for 3 or 6 months, but rebound phenomenon was recognized after a course of 1-2 year.