Clinical Results of Combined Systemic Steroid and Retroorbital Radiotherapy Treatment in Active Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a different steroid dosage protocol which consists of intravenous pulse methylprednisolone combined with retroorbital radiotherapy in the treatment of active thyroid associated ophthalmopathy. Methods: The medical records of 29 patients who were treated with a standard protocol and who were followed-up for at least 6 months were retrospectively analyzed. The treatment protocol consisted of intravenous pulse methylprednisolone 1gram/day for 3 consecutive days, followed by retroorbital radiotherapy. Oral prednisolone which was tapered over a 3-month course was given as a maintenance dose. Results: 58 eyes of 29 patients were included in the study. Twelve patients were female (41%) and 17 were male (59%) with a mean age of 47.7 ± 12.6 years. The clinical activity score was 4.8 ± 1.3 and 2.8 ± 1.2, before and after treatment, respectively (P