title: Effect of orbital bony decompression for Graves' orbitopathy on the volume of extraocular muscles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the change in the rectus muscle volume following orbital bony wall decompression for Graves' orbitopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a computer program (syngo Volume Evaluation) to measure the rectus muscles from the digital preoperative and postoperative orbital CT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 25 patients (20 women and five men; mean age 46 (range 18-64) years) enrolled in the study. A significant increase (mean 0.23 ml (16.5%) of preoperative volume; p=0.005) in the volume of the medial rectus muscle (MRM) was detected postoperatively, whereas no significant changes were found in the volume of the other rectus muscles and between eyes that underwent surgery in the active and inactive phases of the disease. A significant negative association was observed between the time of postoperative CT scans and the change in the MRM volume (p=0.0004) (a mean increase of 68% of preoperative MRM volume for those measured between 3 and 9 months, and a mean decrease in the volume of 50% for those measured between 41 and 50 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The change in the volume of the MRM may partly explain the variability in the proptosis reduction following orbital decompression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Saud Unversity, PO Box 245, Riyadh 11411, Saudi Arabia. adelsu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Adel H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Alsuhaibani
authors.forename: Keith D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Policeni
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Nerad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D049970:Graves Ophthalmopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D009929:Organ Size; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult