Contributed Review: Review of thermal methods for space charge measurement.

The space charge accumulation phenomenon has garnered great interest over the last two decades because of the increased use of direct current in high voltage electrical systems. In this context, a significant relevance has been achieved by the thermal methods, used for solid dielectrics. This paper presents a review of this non-destructive measurement system used for the measurement of space charge. The thermal pulse method, the thermal step method, and the laser intensity modulation method are described. For each configuration, the principle of operation, the thicknesses analyzed, and the spatial resolution are described, reporting also the main related applications.

Treatment of exophthalmos and strabismus surgery in thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

Endocrine orbitopathy (EO) can have important consequences, such as exophthalmos and restrictive strabismus. A retrospective study was performed of 35 patients with EO who underwent orbital decompression surgery and restrictive strabismus correction. Two surgical techniques for orbital decompression were analyzed: fat decompression by Olivari technique and three-wall bony expansion with fat decompression. Strabismus surgery was performed using adjustable or non-adjustable sutures under topical anaesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of intra-orbital decompression performed, and the postoperative values resulting from the different fat decompression techniques were recorded. The preoperative and postoperative mean degrees of exophthalmos were 22.3 and 19.9mm, respectively, for the fat decompression group, and 24.3 and 19.8mm, respectively, for the bony expansion with transpalpebral fat decompression (combined form) group. The difference in residual prism dioptres between adjustable and non-adjustable suture techniques in patients who had previously undergone combined decompression was statistically significant. The management of patients with EO requires a multidisciplinary approach based on the collaboration of maxillofacial surgeons, ophthalmologists, and orthoptists. These results will allow the development of a more adequate strategy for the surgical treatment of restrictive strabismus in EO patients.