Severe Graves' ophthalmopathy in pregnancy

Obstet Gynecol. 2005 May;105(5 Pt 2):1221-3. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000157759.40119.f9.

Abstract

Background: Thyroid ophthalmopathy is a rare extrathyroidal complication most commonly associated with Graves' disease. The disease course ranges from mild to severe, with severe cases resulting in major visual impairment and facial disfigurement.

Case: A 22-year-old primigravida developed severe thyroid ophthalmopathy during pregnancy, requiring high-dose steroids and surgical orbital wall decompression to restore visual acuity.

Conclusion: Severe thyroid ophthalmopathy can occur in the euthyroid pregnant patient. Corticosteroid therapy and surgical intervention may be required during pregnancy in this clinical scenario.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Decompression, Surgical / methods
  • Exophthalmos / etiology
  • Exophthalmos / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graves Disease / diagnosis*
  • Graves Disease / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / etiology
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / physiopathology
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / surgery
  • Orbit / surgery*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications / therapy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Steroids / therapeutic use
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vision Tests / methods

Substances

  • Steroids