Stellwag's sign
Stellwag's sign
Stellwag's sign (/ˈstɛlvɑːɡz saɪn/) is a clinical sign in medicine that is often associated with thyroid eye disease (also known as Graves' ophthalmopathy). It is characterized by infrequent and incomplete blinking, which can lead to a staring appearance.
Etymology
The term is named after the Austrian ophthalmologist, Carl Stellwag von Carion (1823–1904), who first described the sign in detail.
Clinical significance
Stellwag's sign is often seen in patients with thyroid eye disease, a condition that affects the muscles and other tissues around the eyes. It is a common sign of Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism).
The sign is characterized by a reduced rate of blinking (blink rate) and incomplete closure of the eyelids. This can lead to exposure of the cornea and conjunctiva, potentially causing dryness and discomfort.
Related terms
- Graves' disease: An autoimmune disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones.
- Thyroid eye disease: A condition that affects the muscles and other tissues around the eyes, often associated with Graves' disease.
- Dalrymple's sign: Another clinical sign often seen in thyroid eye disease, characterized by retraction of the upper eyelid resulting in an abnormally wide palpebral fissure.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Stellwag's sign
- Wikipedia's article - Stellwag's sign
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski