Development of Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy in Patients Who Underwent Total Thyroidectomy.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To report clinical characteristics of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) in patients who previously underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer or a benign mass of the thyroid.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Of the patients who were diagnosed with TAO from March 2008 to March 2012, we performed a retrospective chart review on those who had undergone total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer or a benign mass of the thyroid before the occurrence of ophthalmopathy.

RESULTS:

Of the 206 patients diagnosed with TAO, seven (3.4%) met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of the subjects was 47.4 years, and all were female. Six patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer, and one was diagnosed with a benign mass. The duration between total thyroidectomy and onset of TAO ranged from 3-120 months (median 48 months). Ophthalmic manifestations varied among cases. Except for the patient who was diagnosed with a benign mass, all patients showed hyperthyroid status and were under Synthroid hormone treatment at the time of TAO development. Five of these six patients had positive levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor autoantibodies.

CONCLUSION:

TAO rarely develops after total thyroidectomy, and the mechanism of TAO occurrence is unclear. However, most patients showed abnormalities in thyroid function and TSH receptor autoantibodies.

• Authors: Sun Young Jang, Ka Hyun Lee, Jong Rok Oh, Bo Yeon Kim, Jin Sook Yoon
• Journal: Yonsei medical journal (Yonsei Med J) Vol. 56 Issue 5 Pg. 1389-94 (Sep 2015) ISSN: 1976-2437 [Electronic] Korea (South)
• PMID: 26256985 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Autoantibodies
• Receptors, Thyrotropin
• Thyrotropin

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Autoantibodies (blood)
• Carcinoma
• Carcinoma, Papillary (immunology, surgery)
• Female
• Graves Ophthalmopathy (diagnosis, immunology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications (etiology, immunology, pathology)
• Receptors, Thyrotropin
• Retrospective Studies
• Thyroid Cancer, Papillary
• Thyroid Neoplasms (complications, surgery)
• Thyroidectomy (adverse effects, methods)
• Thyrotropin (blood)
• Treatment Outcome