Clinical outcomes of orbital irradiation combined with or without systemic high-dose or pulsed corticosteroids for Graves' ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of orbital irradiation with or without high-dose or pulsed corticosteroids in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred and twenty-one patients with moderate to severe GO who received orbital irradiation from 1987 to 1997 were retrospectively analyzed. A total dose of 20 Gy in 10 fractions was delivered to the bilateral retrobulbar volume. Eighty-six patients were treated in combination with high-dose or pulsed corticosteroids and irradiation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the prognostic variables. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 26 months. The overall clinical response was evaluated as excellent in 17 patients (14%), good in 65 (54%), fair in 31 (25%), no response in 7 (6%), and worse in 1 (1%). The best responses were noted for soft-tissue signs, extraocular muscle involvement, and sight loss, while a limited response was noted for proptosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that the use of high-dose corticosteroid or pulsed corticosteroids, female gender, and a shorter duration of ophthalmopathy before radiotherapy were significantly correlated with favorable outcomes. No long-term complications related to radiotherapy were observed. CONCLUSION: Orbital irradiation combined with high-dose or pulsed corticosteroids is an effective treatment for moderate to severe GO, especially in cases with major manifestations of soft-tissue signs, extraocular muscle impairment, or sight loss.