THE STIR SEQUENCE MRI IN THE ASSESSMENT OF EXTRAOCULAR-MUSCLES IN THYROID EYE DISEASE

Nineteen patients with thyroid eye disease were examined with magnetic resonance imaging using the Short Tau Inversion Recovery (STIR) seque nce and compared with normal controls. The Signal Intensity Ratio (SIR ) of each of the four recti was obtained by comparison with the signal intensity of the adjacent temporalis muscle. The SIR was compared wit h disease activity assessed using Werner's grading system, a clinical inflammatory score, and the range of extraocular movements. Results sh ow that a high SIR is associated with a high index of disease activity . This technique is likely to prove useful in assessing disease activi ty and planning the management of thyroid eye disease, particularly wi th respect to immunosuppression.