CLINICAL REPORTS   

Chirurgia 2000 June;13(3):187-90

Copyright © 2000 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Treatment of asymmetric upper eyelid retraction in Hashimoto thyroiditis

Colonna M. R., Quatra F., Vermiglio F.

Thyroid Associated Orbitopathy (TAO) is frequent in Graves' hyperthyroidism and several options have been reported for its treatment. TAO is less common in Hashimoto thyroiditis but it presents with similar features. Medical treatment of the thyroid disease and surgical treatment of upper eyelid retraction is described in a patient with Hashimoto thyroiditis and asymmetric upper eyelid retraction. Medical treatment included suppression of TSH-release with oral Levo-thyroxine and high doses of steroids. Surgical correction of the eyelid retraction was achieved by lengthening of Levator and Muller muscle under local anesthesia. TAO requires a staged, combined treatment, including drugs and surgery, in order to get satisfactory and long lasting results.