Patterns of Extraocular Muscle Enlargement in Graves’ Orbitopathy and Acromegaly
An erratum to this article was published (Thyroid, Dec 2025 ↗)
Authors' conclusion
GO and acromegaly groups demonstrated the enlargement of the IR, MR, and SR muscles when compared with controls. The GO group did not show significantly larger EOM sizes compared with the acromegaly group. In the GO group, the IR, MR, and SR were similarly affected and did not follow previously described patterns of enlargement in GO.
Study context
- Population
- New patients with acromegaly or Graves' orbitopathy (GO) with computed tomography (CT) including adequate orbital imaging, St Joseph's Health Care, London, Ontario, January 1, 2015–July 1, 2020
- Participants
- 16 / 17 / 18
- Exposure
- GO vs acromegaly vs controls
- GOn = 16
- Acromegalyn = 17
- Controlsn = 18reference
- Outcome
- Maximum diameter of each rectus extraocular muscle (EOM) on orbital CT
- Follow-up
- At diagnosis
Methodological detailsage- and sex-matched controls, single neuroradiologist CT analysis
- Age- and sex-matched controls
- Single neuroradiologist CT analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Mean maximum EOM diameter
| Group | Value | Medial rectus (MR) | Superior rectus (SR) | Lateral rectus (LR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GO | mean 4.77 (SD 1.53) mm | 5.35 ± 2.23 mm | 4.94 ± 1.84 mm | 3.91 ± 1.59 mm |
| Acromegaly | mean 4.66 (SD 0.61) mm | 4.84 ± 0.81 mm | 4.88 ± 0.91 mm | 4.55 ± 0.60 mm |
| Controls | mean 3.68 (SD 0.61) mm | 3.65 ± 0.42 mm | 3.68 ± 0.61 mm | 3.20 ± 0.43 mm |
Value
GOmean 4.77 (SD 1.53) mm
Acromegalymean 4.66 (SD 0.61) mm
Controlsmean 3.68 (SD 0.61) mm
Medial rectus (MR)
GO5.35 ± 2.23 mm
Acromegaly4.84 ± 0.81 mm
Controls3.65 ± 0.42 mm
Superior rectus (SR)
GO4.94 ± 1.84 mm
Acromegaly4.88 ± 0.91 mm
Controls3.68 ± 0.61 mm
Lateral rectus (LR)
GO3.91 ± 1.59 mm
Acromegaly4.55 ± 0.60 mm
Controls3.20 ± 0.43 mm
- GO vs Controls: Inferior rectus (IR), p = 0.020 — also SR p = 0.004; MR p < 0.001; LR p = 0.166
- Acromegaly vs Controls: IR, p = 0.039 — also SR p = 0.006; MR p = 0.006; LR p = 0.001
- GO vs Acromegaly: IR, p = 0.959 — also SR p = 0.987; MR p = 0.408; LR p = 0.250; no significant difference
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Patterns of Extraocular Muscle Enlargement in Graves’ Orbitopathy and Acromegaly. Thyroid. Published 20 December 2024. doi:10.
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