Orbital radiotherapy for thyroid-related orbitopathy.
OBJECTIVE
Orbital radiotherapy has been one of the primary treatment modalities for moderate to severe thyroid-related orbitopathy. In this review the authors discuss the role of orbital radiotherapy in this disease with particular emphasis on questions raised by recent studies.


RESULTS
Despite its widespread use, until recently there have been few well-designed, randomized clinical trials on the role of orbital radiotherapy for thyroid-related orbitopathy. Although most the literature points to a favorable effect of orbital radiotherapy, recent studies have provided us with conflicting results.


CONCLUSIONS
Orbital radiotherapy remains a safe and a widely used treatment option for severe and progressive thyroid-related orbitopathy. More randomized clinical trials are needed, especially to examine the role of orbital radiotherapy for severe thyroid-related orbitopathy characterized by severe congestion and/or compressive optic neuropathy with and without the use of corticosteroids. There is a wide consensus among clinicians that this subgroup of patients is the most frequent one to which orbital radiotherapy is offered.
Behbehani
Raed
R
Neuroophthalmology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. r_behehani@hotmail.com
Sergott
Robert C
RC
Savino
Peter J
PJ
D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009915:Orbit / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013256:Steroids