Facial and Eyelid Changes in Thyroid Eye Disease Are Reversed by Teprotumumab

Thyroid eye disease (TED) causes orbital soft-tissue expansion. Recent studies have suggested that brow and temple changes may also occur. Teprotumumab, a monoclonal antibody to the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor reduces soft-tissue swelling in TED. In this study, we quantified the changes to pan facial soft-tissue volumes and eyelid position, following treatment with teprotumumab.

In this prospective study, consecutive patients who were treated with teprotumumab were appraised for study eligibility. All patients had 3D facial imaging using the Vectra H2. Soft-tissue volume changes in the upper face, periorbita, temples, midface, and lower face were quantified before and after teprotumumab therapy. Furthermore, the marginal reflex distance (MRD)1, MRD2, and intercanthal distance were also measured pretreatment and posttreatment.

Twenty-three patients were included in the study. The mean duration of TED was 29 months (38). Following teprotumumab therapy, the mean (SD) decrease in volume for each region was 0.75 mL (0.84) in the upper face, 1.8 mL (1.3) in the periorbital region, 0.17 mL (0.5) in the temples, 1.62 mL (3.16) in the midface, and 2.67 mL (4.6) in the lower face. The mean (SD) decrease in the volume of the full face was 8.9 mL (8.7). There was also a significant reduction in MRD1, MRD2, and the intercanthal space following treatment. There was no relationship between previous steroid use and total body weight reduction and changes in facial volume.

TED may cause significant tissue expansion across the entire face and this may be reduced following teprotumumab therapy.