Assessment of Medial and Inferior Extraocular Muscle Thickness by Ultrasonography in Juvenile Patients with Graves’ Disease

Abstract

In juvenile patients with Graves' disease, extraocular muscles may be involved. Ultrasonography is a very important and informative diagnostic method in patients with exophthalmos and Graves' disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate medial and inferior extraocular muscle thickness in juvenile patients with Graves' disease. Materials and methods: Ultrasonography was performed on 78 orbits of 39 juvenile patients with Graves' disease. The thickness of medial and inferior extraocular muscle was measured. 60 orbits of 30 randomly selected normal healthy volunteers aged 7 to 33 years were evaluated in the study. The mean values of proptosis, extraocular muscle thickness were compared between the patients and the normal subjects (Student's t-test). The significant level p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study revealed that the thickness values of extraocular medial and inferior rectus muscles in juvenile patients with Graves' disease were significantly higher than in normal healthy subjects. Conclusions: The results of ultrasound investigation showed significant enlargement of medial and inferior extraocular muscle thickness in juvenile patients with Graves' disease. The data showed that ultrasonography is important in the evaluation of the thickness of medial and inferior extraocular muscle in Graves' disease.