gms | German Medical Science

102. Jahrestagung der DOG

Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft e. V.

23. bis 26.09.2004, Berlin

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Orbital decompression in Grave's disease

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  • corresponding author R.F. Guthoff - Universitäts-Augenklinik Rostock
  • M.P. Schittkowski - Universitäts-Augenklinik Rostock
  • N. Fichter - Universitäts-Augenklinik Rostock

Evidenzbasierte Medizin - Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. 102. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft. Berlin, 23.-26.09.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. Doc04dogFR.17.04

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dog2004/04dog318.shtml

Published: September 22, 2004

© 2004 Guthoff et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.

Outline

Text

In the last decades orbital decompression has been the last choice of treatment in Grave´s disease; only if medical treatment or radiation were not successfull. Due to possible operative risks (e.g. diplopia) this method was used for compressive neuropathy only but not for aesthetic reasons.

A new finding is the so-called compartment syndrome, which is an increase in volume of orbital contents. This results in an increase of intraorbital pressure which can cause retrobulbar pain. Orbital decompression helps to reduce those complaints.

In case of direct compression of the optic nerve in the orbital apex, orbital decompression has to be considered. Indication, surgical technique, different approaches, results and risks will be discussed.