目的：应用眼眶磁共振成像(MRI)技术评估甲状腺相关眼病(TAO)患者泪腺参数及其与临床检查的相关性。

方法：选取TAO患者38例76眼为病例组，选取与病例组性别与年龄段匹配的自愿参与接受检查的体检人群中的26例52眼作为正常对照组。根据改良疾病临床活动性评分(CAS)将其分为活动期TAO组、非活动期TAO组。采集MRI图像后在T1WI测量眼球突出度，在T2WI横断位与冠状位测量泪腺最大横截面时的最大横径、纵径与面积，并记录泪腺最大T2值与平均T2值。

结果：活动期TAO组和非活动期TAO组年龄、性别、眼球突出度均无差异(P>0.05)。冠状面及横断面下的泪腺面积，活动期TAO组较非活动期TAO组、正常对照组升高，非活动期TAO较对照组升高(均P<0.01)。冠状面及横断面下的泪腺纵径，活动期TAO组较非活动期TAO组、正常对照组升高(均P<0.05)。活动期TAO组与非活动期TAO组冠状面与横断面下的泪腺横径均较正常对照组升高(均P<0.05)。活动期TAO组最大T2值较非活动期TAO、正常对照组升高，非活动期TAO较正常对照组升高(均P<0.05)。活动期TAO平均T2值较非活动期TAO、正常对照组升高(均P<0.05)。CAS与冠状面泪腺面积、横断面泪腺面积、最大T2值均呈正相关(均P<0.01)。

结论：TAO患者泪腺出现显著增大，以活动期TAO尤甚。冠状面泪腺面积、横断面泪腺面积与最大T2值可能成为评估TAO活动性的影像学指标。

METHODS: A total of 38 patients(76 eyes)with TAO were selected as case group, and 26 patients(52 eyes)who matched the gender and age with case group and volunteered to accept examination were selected as normal control group. Patients in case group were categorized into active TAO group and inactive TAO group according to the modified clinical activity score(CAS). The exophthalmos was evaluated on T1WI after obtaining the MRI images, the longest lacrimal gland length, width, and the biggest area in axial and coronal images were evaluated on T2WI, and the maximum T2 value and mean T2 value of the lacrimal gland were recorded.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, gender and exophthalmos between active TAO and inactive TAO(P>0.05). The area of lacrimal gland was higher in active TAO than that in inactive TAO, and was higher in inactive TAO than that in control group in coronal and axial section(all P<0.01). The length of lacrimal gland in coronal and axial section was higher in the active TAO than that in the inactive TAO and the control group(all P<0.05). The width of lacrimal gland in coronal and axial section was higher in active TAO and inactive TAO than that in the control group(all P<0.05). The maximum T2 value in the active TAO was higher than that in the inactive TAO and control group, and the inactive TAO was higher than that in the control group(all P<0.05). The average T2 value in the active TAO was higher than that in the inactive TAO and control group(all P<0.05). CAS was positively correlated with lacrimal gland area in axial, coronal section and maximum T2 value(all P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: The lacrimal gland is significantly enlarged in patients with TAO, especially in active TAO. The lacrimal gland area in axial, coronal section and maximum T2 value could be potentially utilized as valuable radiographic biomarkers for the activity of TAO.