[One step surgery for severe African endocrine exophtalmia: clinical case]

Abstract

Introduction: The association hyperthyroidism-exophtalmia is pathognomonic of the Graves disease. Classically, the treatment is based on a pluridisciplinary step-by-step approach with a precise chronology. In some African places, these optimal conditions are not present. When confronted to such particular situations, it can be proposed to treat surgically at the same time the endocrine disease and the ophthalmologic complications.

Observation: The authors report the case of a 42-year-old women suffering of a great thyreotoxic goiter with severe bilateral exophtalmia, treated by thyroidectomy and orbital decompression in the same session with a good result after 18 months.

Discussion: This non-conventional approach can be useful in particular situations when the medical environment is not optimal. It permits the radical treatment of their disease and improves the prognosis of patients with poor capacities for survey.