[The current role of radiotherapy in immunogenic exophthalmos]

In this study, the value of radiation therapy was investigated in 41 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy treated with orbital irradiation at the Radiotherapy Department of Mauriziano Hospital in Turin, 1986 through 1993. Our series consisted of 41 patients (32 women and 9 men), whose mean age was 53.6 years (range: 26-72 years). All patients had a high index of endocrine ophthalmopathy, based on the American Thyroid Association classification-NOSPECS classes III and IV. Irradiation was administered with two opposed convergent beams tilted posteriorly 5-10 degrees with 20 Gy/12 fractions/2 weeks. The total dose delivered to the lens was than 5%. The follow-up consisted of endocrinologic and ophthalmologic tests and, if possible, of pre/post-irradiation orbital US. A positive result was obtained in 31 patients, which was very good in 22 of them. Severe complications, i.e., 1 corneal ulceration and 3 cataracts, were observed in the patients with associated ocular conditions and were treated simultaneously with high-dose corticosteroids so that no direct and unquestionable correlation can be made between irradiation and complications. To conclude, our data show that radiation therapy can improve the signs and symptoms of Graves' disease, as many authors report.