[Radioiodine therapy for Graves' disease as a risk factor of endocrine ophthalmopathy]

In 1973 and 1976 R. Wasnich and R. Jackson described 2 cases of endocrine ophthalmopathy (EO) that occurred after external irradiation of the anterior surface of the neck due to a tumor (Hodgkin's lymphoma). Further observations showed that treatment of Graves' disease with radioactive iodine (131I) can worsen the course of EO. So, L. De Groot et al., Observing 264 patients after exposure to 131I for Graves' disease, found progression of EO in 4% of patients after the 1st course of therapy and in 12% after subsequent sessions. L. Bartalena et al. observed the appearance or significant progression of EO in 15% of 150 patients treated with 131I. At the same time, against the background of glucocorticoid therapy, only 10% of patients worsened the course of EO. Other studies have shown that the progression of EO after treatment with 131I without glucocorticoid administration was observed in 18-30% of cases. Along with this, it is believed that 131I does not affect the incidence of clinical symptoms in the orbit, and hypothyroidism that occurs after it does not lead to the progression of eye symptoms. The relationship between treatment and the onset or progression of EO is not clear. Nevertheless, there is evidence of an adverse effect of an elevated level of antibodies to the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSH) in the blood serum after 1131I training for EO. This review is devoted to a review of the problem presented.