[Expert consensus on orbital MRI examination and diagnostic evaluation in thyroid eye disease (2026 edition)].

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is the most common orbital disease in adults, with substantial impacts on patients' appearance, visual function, and quality of life. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates distinct advantages in depicting characteristic changes in orbital soft tissue structures and serves as one of the primary imaging tools for evaluating disease extent and characterizing pathological features, playing an important role in differential diagnosis, disease classification, and activity assessment of TED. However, current orbital MRI examination protocols for TED lack unified standardization in operational procedures, scanning parameters, sequence selection, and image interpretation. To address this issue, the Oculoplastic and Orbital Disease Group of Chinese Ophthalmological Society of Chinese Medical Association and the Head and Neck Group of Chinese Society of Radiology Chinese Medical Association have jointly developed this expert consensus. Focusing on the core issues in orbital MRI examination and diagnosis of TED, this consensus proposes standardized examination protocols, presents recommended sequences, and establishes principles of image analysis. Furthermore, it summarizes typical imaging features and key differential diagnostic points, ultimately formulating seven recommendations aimed at providing clear and reliable imaging technical guidance for clinicians and researchers.