ASSOCIATION OF PROGRESSIVE (MALIGNANT) EXOPHTHALMOS AND LOCALIZED MYXEDEMA

Abstract

It IS GENERALLY accepted that localized myxedema occurs in conjunction with toxic diffuse goiter (Graves's disease) and often follows surgical removal of a thyrotoxic gland. A parallel situation exists with progressive (malignant) exophthalmos. The development, progress and duration of localized myxedema so strikingly simulates the course of progressive exophthalmos that one must accept as tenable the supposition that these two conditions are allied manifestations of the same underlying abnormally. OPHTHALMIC COMPONENT OF TOXIC DIFFUSE GOITER It is now recognized that there exist both a classic type and a special ophthalmopathic¹ variety of ocular change in association with toxic diffuse goiter. Ocular proptosis, an integral part of the syndrome comprising typical toxic diffuse goiter, may progress to a severer and more serious variant known as malignant exophthalmos. In most instances this development follows surgical removal of a thyrotoxic gland. Since the demonstration by Loeb and Bassett² of an