[The old and the recently occurring endocrine ophthalmopathy in computed tomography: similarities--differences].

Thirty patients are described on whom computed tomography was carried out because of endocrine ophthalmopathies. Fifteen patients had had the disease for more than two years, in the others it was acute. Determinations of muscle thickness and Hertel values show that there is no thickening of the extraocular muscles in patients with longstanding disease, but a significant increase in the Hertel values. Patients with recent disease show a definite increase in muscle thickness and corresponding protrusion of the globe, which can be explained by the changes in the muscles. The computer tomographic appearances of the striated ocular muscles in long-standing disease can be explained by fibrosis. These characteristics are of significance when considering the indications for radiation therapy.