MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING IN THYROID EYE DISEASE

We examined 25 patients with thyroid eye disease, using both the STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery) sequence and cine MRI techniques, A num ber of characteristic features can be seen on the cine MRI. There is m uscle enlargement with restriction of movement and, in the burnt-out p hase of the disease, reduced elasticity of the muscles is manifest as their failure to stretch on eye movement. This is in contrast to the a ctive phase of the disease, where although the muscles are enlarged, m uscle stretching is clearly visible. The STIR sequence gives an assess ment of muscle water content, and hence a high signal is seen in activ e disease. Combining these techniques is useful in assessing the level of disease activity in thyroid eye disease, and helps in planning fur ther management.