Sinusitis in Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy

In 19 patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy undergoing orbital decompression, histologic examination of paranasal sinus mucosa revealed moderate to severe inflammatory alterations in all patients. Only 2/19 patients had a history of chronic sinusitis. In 4/19 patients, mucosal abnormalities of the paranasal sinuses were found on preoperative computed tomography CT scans. Postoperatively, 10/19 patients developed purulent sinusitis. It is suggested that patients suffering from thyroid associated ophthalmopathy have an increased incidence of histologically detectable inflammatory changes of paranasal sinus mucosa. Because of preexisting mucosal inflammation, these patients are pron…