Late orbital radiotherapy combined with intravenous methylprednisolone in the management of long-lasting active graves’ orbitopathy: a case report and literature review

To present a case and review the literature on Orbital Radiotherapy (OR) combined with intravenous methylprednisolone, focusing on its late application in patients with long-lasting active Graves’ Orbitopathy (GO). Additionally, we suggest emerging perspective for future research in this context.

Relevant literature (randomized controlled studies, retrospective studies and reviews) was explored on PubMed from January 1973 to January 2024, searching “orbital radiotherapy” & “Graves disease”.

OR is a well-established second-line treatment for moderate-to-severe active GO, providing response rates comparable to glucocorticoids. Its anti-inflammatory effect makes OR particularly suitable for early active GO, and when combined with glucocorticoids, outcomes are synergistically improved. The emergence of the new Volumetric Modulated Arc Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (VMAT-IGRT) technique enables precise radiation delivery to the target, significantly reducing associated toxicity. This technological advancement enhances the feasibility of radiotherapy in benign diseases like GO. A retrospective study indicated that late OR in patients with long-lasting active GO may improve diplopia and visual acuity, decreasing disease activity. Our case report supports this conclusion.

This report and literature review underscores the importance of considering late OR combined with intravenous methylprednisolone as a viable treatment option for GO patients with prolonged disease activity, emphasizing the crucial role of personalized therapy in managing GO. However, further investigations are warranted to validate this approach in cases of long-lasting active GO.