Orbital radiotherapy for thyroid-related orbitopathy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Orbital radiotherapy has been one of the primary treatment modalities for moderate to severe thyroid-related orbitopathy. In this review the authors discuss the role of orbital radiotherapy in this disease with particular emphasis on questions raised by recent studies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite its widespread use, until recently there have been few well-designed, randomized clinical trials on the role of orbital radiotherapy for thyroid-related orbitopathy. Although most the literature points to a favorable effect of orbital radiotherapy, recent studies have provided us with conflicting results.

SUMMARY

Orbital radiotherapy remains a safe and a widely used treatment option for severe and progressive thyroid-related orbitopathy. More randomized clinical trials are needed, especially to examine the role of orbital radiotherapy for severe thyroid-related orbitopathy characterized by severe congestion and/or compressive optic neuropathy with and without the use of corticosteroids. There is a wide consensus among clinicians that this subgroup of patients is the most frequent one to which orbital radiotherapy is offered.