Antral-ethmoidal decompression of the orbit in Graves' disease: ten-year experience

The orbital manifestations of Graves' disease usually comprise the most distressing component of this inadequately understood disease entity. Patients with optic neuropathy, exposure keratopathy, or disfiguring proptosis can be helped considerably by decompression of the swollen orbital tissues into the maxillary and sinus cavities. Experience with 104 patients personally operated by the senior author and analyzed by chart review and patient questionnaire indicates that antral-ethmoidal decompression is a successful form of therapy, generally free of serious complications. It is now employed earlier in the course of Graves' ophtholmopathy than in the past.