Open AccessOccurrence of Graves’ Orbitopathy and Graves’ Hyperthyroidism after a Trauma to the Eye
Author(s) -
Elena Sabini,
Ilaria Ionni,
Roberto Rocchi,
Paolo Vitti,
Claudio Marcocci,
Michele Marinò
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
european thyroid journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.23
H-Index - 10
eISSN - 2235-0802
pISSN - 2235-0640
DOI - 10.1159/000479629
Subject(s) - medicine , autoimmunity , thyroid , graves' disease , exophthalmus , graves' ophthalmopathy , exophthalmos , autoantibody , antigen , eye disease , endocrinology , immunology , disease , surgery , antibody
Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is believed to be the consequence of autoimmunity against antigens that are present both in the thyroid and orbital tissues. Massive release of thyroid antigens causes the appearance or deterioration of GO in patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism (GH), as it occurs following radioiodine treatment. In theory, a similar release of autoantigens may occur at the eye level, for example due to an orbital trauma or surgical manipulation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of de novo appearance of GO and then GH after an eye trauma, possibly reflecting spreading of autoantigens and activation of the immune system against shared orbital and thyroid antigens.