Severe Graves' ophthalmopathy in pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Thyroid ophthalmopathy is a rare extrathyroidal complication most commonly associated with Graves' disease. The disease course ranges from mild to severe, with severe cases resulting in major visual impairment and facial disfigurement.


METHODS
A 22-year-old primigravida developed severe thyroid ophthalmopathy during pregnancy, requiring high-dose steroids and surgical orbital wall decompression to restore visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe thyroid ophthalmopathy can occur in the euthyroid pregnant patient. Corticosteroid therapy and surgical intervention may be required during pregnancy in this clinical scenario.
Stafford
Irene P
IP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center; New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA. petrouia@yahoo.com
Dildy
Gary A
GA
Miller
Joseph M
JM
D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D009915:Orbit / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000379:methods
D013256:Steroids