Endocrine Abstracts

There is preliminary evidence that B cell depletion with rituximab (RTX), a chimeric mouse-human monoclonal antibody directed against the CD 20 antigen on B lymphocytes, may be effective for the treatment of moderate-severe Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). While mostly non-controlled studies have shown that this modality of immunosuppression has potential in the therapy of moderate–severe GO, in particular for the control of the active, inflammatory phase of the disease. Th...

Treatment of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians all over the world. The elimination of risk factors, like encouraging smoking cessation, achieving euthyroidism and local measures usage are the most important and usually sufficient treatment methods in most mild cases. A course of selenium may also be beneficial. High-dose i.v. glucocorticosteroids remain the first-line therapy in moderate-to-severe orbitopathy, however i...

Since the surgical techniques of orbital decompression have changed considerably due to endoscopic techniques, piezosurgery and navigation indication for orbital decompression have expanded. There two real emergency indications: optic nerve compression (DON) and corneal ulceration. In DON patients decompression is performed if no stable remission can be achieved after two weeks of high dose i.v. steroids. In these patients the medial wall should always be included in the surgi...