title: Reduction of orbital inflammation following decompression for thyroid-related orbitopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thyroid-related orbitopathy (TRO) is associated with inflammation, expansion of orbital fat, enlargement of extraocular muscles, and optic neuropathy (ON). We examined the effects of orbital decompression on the inflammatory and congestive signs of TRO in patients who underwent emergent orbital decompression.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective, consecutive study included patients with ON from TRO who underwent orbital decompression. Pre- and postoperative orbital inflammatory signs in the operated and nonoperated, contralateral eyes were graded with the 10-item clinical activity score (CAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one orbits were included. Postoperatively, 22 patients and 29 orbits had resolution of ON while the remaining 2 patients had improvement in visual acuity. Mean preoperative CAS was 9.5 ± 0.4. At 12 months, postoperative CAS was 2.1 ± 0.6 (P < 0.01) in the operated eye and 3.2 ± 0.5 (P < 0.05) in the nonoperated, contralateral eye.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our series, 94% of orbits had resolution of ON. There was also a statistically significant postoperative reduction in the CAS in both the operated and nonoperated, contralateral eyes. This phenomenon may be due to lowered venous congestion, decreased intraorbital pressure, and diminution in inflammatory factors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, UCSD Department of Ophthalmology, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sang-Rog
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: Ayelet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Priel
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Granet
authors.forename: Bobby S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Korn
authors.forename: Don O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Kikkawa
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000473:pathology*; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*