Endocrinological findings in endocrine orbitopathy

Carl-Adolph von Basedow described the typical clinical features of immune-mediated hyperthyroidism (tachycardia, proptosis, goiter) in 1840 and termed it the "Merseburg trias". Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease with thyroidal and extra-thyroidal manifestations such as endocrine orbitopathy, which is caused by a dense lymphocytic infiltrate. A genetic predisposition combined with so far unidentified environmental factors and a complex immunological process seem to be important for its pathophysiology. The pathognomonic histopathophysiological picture is characterised by the typical lymphocytic infiltration of the ocular muscles and retrobulbar connective and adipose tissues leading to the classical exophthalmus. No specific therapy is available. The goal of therapy is therefore the correction of the hyperthyroidism and inhibition of the immune-mediated orbital inflammation which can be achieved by early interdisciplinary team work of endocrinologists, ophthalmologists and radiation therapy.