title: [The combined therapy of Basedow's ophthalmopathy with retrobulbar radiotherapy and i.v. immunoglobulins. The preliminary results].
abstract: The most frequently used medical treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy is the combination of orbital irradiation and systemic corticosteroid. In this study the effectiveness of "high dose intravenous immunoglobulin" (IVIG) in Graves' ophthalmopathy treatment is explored. 11 patients were treated with orbital radiotherapy combined with systemic corticosteroid (Group 1), while 10 patients were treated with the combination of orbital irradiation and IVIG (Group 2). The therapeutic effect was assessed by an ophthalmopathy index based on the American Thyroid Association, classification of ocular changes of Graves' ophthalmopathy. All signs and symptoms of endocrine ophthalmopathy improved significantly in both groups. The mean ophthalmopathy index decreased from 7.0 +/- 1.3 to 3.4 +/- 1.5 in Group 1, and from 7.0 +/- 1.8 to 3.0 +/- 2.1 in Group 2. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between Group 1 and 2 mean initial and final ophthalmopathy index, and a significant difference between initial and final ophthalmopathy index both in Group 1 and 2. While side effects were present in Group 1 treated with systemic corticosteroid, no side effect was observed in patients treated with IVIG. These preliminary results suggest that IVIG is safe and effective in the treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Medica II, Università degli Studi di Pisa.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antonelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saracino
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Melosi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cartei
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lepri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laddaga
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baschieri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D008775:Methylprednisolone
vernacular_title: Terapia combinata della oftalmopatia basedowiana con radioterapia retrobulbare e immunoglobuline e.v. Risultati preliminari.