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Boston's sign

AI overview

Boston's sign is the spasmodic lowering of the upper eyelid on downward rotation of the eye, indicating exophthalmic goiter.

Key points
  • Boston's sign is similar to von Graefe's sign.
    source quote
    Similar to von Graefe's sign
  • In Graves-Basedow disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and the soft tissues surrounding the eyes.
    source quote
    the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and the soft tissues surrounding the eyes
  • The eyes are often pushed forward in the eye sockets, a condition known as exophthalmos.
    source quote
    the eyes are often pushed forward in the eye sockets, a condition known as exophthalmos
Symptoms
  • Spasmodic lowering of the upper eyelid occurs on downward rotation of the eye.
    source quote
    the spasmodic lowering of the upper eyelid on downward rotation of the eye
  • Eyes may be pushed forward in the eye sockets (exophthalmos).
    source quote
    the eyes are often pushed forward in the eye sockets, a condition known as exophthalmos
Diagnosis
  • Boston's sign indicates exophthalmic goiter.
    source quote
    indicating exophthalmic goiter
  • It is observed in people with Graves-Basedow disease.
    source quote
    it is observed in people with Graves-Basedow disease
AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Boston's sign”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Boston's sign
Differential diagnosisexophthalmic goiter

Boston's sign is the spasmodic lowering of the upper eyelid on downward rotation of the eye, indicating exophthalmic goiter.[1]

Similar to von Graefe's sign, it is observed in people with Graves-Basedow disease, a type of hyperthyroidism. In this disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and the soft tissues surrounding the eyes. As a result, the eyes are often pushed forward in the eye sockets, a condition known as exophthalmos.[citation needed]

  1. Cline D; Hofstetter HW; Griffin JR. Dictionary of Visual Science. 4th ed. Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston 1997. ISBN 0-7506-9895-0