PRESENT CONCEPTS OF THE PATHOLOGIC PHYSIOLOGY OF EXOPHTHALMOS*†

Abstract

An analysis is made of the factors which have a bearing on the mechanism of progressive exophthalmos. The following considerations are discussed: Theories of exophthalmos. Circumstances under which exophthalmos is found. Physical eye signs associated with exophthalmos. Evidence of an increase in retrobulbar tissue volume. Anatomic relationships in the orbit. Pathologic changes in retrobulbar tissue. Clinical courses of the progressive exophthalmos. Exptl. exophthalmos produced by the thyroid-stimulating hormone. Comparison of the pathology in exptl. animals and man. The significance of physiologic factors such as sex and age. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and exophthalmos. Results of therapeutic measures as a key to the mechanism of exophthalmos. A possible mechanism of progressive exophthalmos. An effort is made to gather together those pertinent clinical, anatomic, pathologic and endo-crinologic facts which should direct us toward a future understanding of the true mechanism of progressive exophthalmos.