The combination of T2-mapping value of lacrimal gland and clinical indicators can improve the stage prediction of Graves’ ophthalmopathy compared to clinical activity scores

Purpose To explore radiological changes of the lacrimal gland (LG) in Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) and whether a combination of MRI parameters and clinical indicators would be more effective in predicting individual clinical manifestation of GO compared to clinical activity scores (CAS) assessment. Methods A total of 28 patients with GO (56 eyes) and 14 healthy controls (HCs) (28 eyes) were enrolled between July 2020 and July 2021. Patients were classified into the active GO group (CAS ≥ 3) and the inactive GO group (CAS < 3). MRI data and clinical data of LG were collected. The diagnostic performance of MRI parameters and models was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Logistic regression predictive models for staging GO were compared. Results LG in GO groups had significantly higher K trans , Ve, IAUC, ADC, and T2-mapping values ( p = 0.006, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.048, and p = 0.001, respectively), and significant lower Kep and Vp values ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). There were statistically significant differences in T2-mapping value ( p < 0.001), the proportion of mild or no obvious redness of conjunctiva ( p < 0.001), and the proportion of swelling of caruncle or plica ( p < 0.001) between inactive and active groups. In MRI based logistic regression model, the T2-mapping value was an independent risk factor (AUC = 0.832). When combining MRI and clinical indicators, T2-mapping value and age resulted in independent risk factors (AUC = 0.928). Swelling of eyelids, redness of the conjunctiva, swelling of the conjunctiva, swelling of caruncle or plica, and spontaneous retrobulbar pain could be replaced by other objective indicators (AUC = 0.937, 0.852, 0.876, 0.896, and 0.891, respectively). Conclusion There were significant differences in MRI quantitative parameters of LG between HCs and GO patients. The combination of the T2-mapping value of LG and clinical indicators improved the stage prediction of Graves’ ophthalmopathy compared to CAS, thus providing a new idea for enhancing the objectification level of GO data collection.