Abstract
BackgroundAcral overgrowth is a highly common clinical sign in patients with active acromegaly. To what extent this overgrowth persists after long-term remission of acromegaly is largely unknown. Using the new imaging technique of three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry, it is possible to accurately investigate soft tissue changes of the hand. The aim of the recent study was to compare the 3D soft tissue characteristics of the hands of patients in long-term remission of acromegaly to those of a healthy pair matched control group.MethodsA case-control study was performed at a tertiary referral center. Twelve patients in remission of acromegaly (58 % male, mean age 58.3 years, mean BMI 29.6 kg/m2) were compared to twelve age-, gender-, ethnicity-, and BMI-matched control subjects. Of each individual, 3D photographs of both hands were acquired and analyzed using a 3D computer software program.ResultsThe patients in long-term remission of acromegaly have overgrowth of soft tissue of the hand compared to matched control subjects, with a larger length and width of the hand (p = 0.0025, p = 0.0017, respectively). Furthermore, the diameters measured at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the individual fingers are larger in the acromegaly patients.ConclusionsSignificant soft tissue overgrowth of the hand persists in former acromegaly patients, even after long-term remission. Analysis of 3D hand photographs is an accurate and easy tool to evaluate the acral soft tissue patterns in acromegaly.Level of Evidence: Level III, diagnostic study.
Highlights
Is an uncommon clinical condition that is caused by prolonged exposure to immoderate quantities of growth hormone (GH)
The diameters measured at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the individual fingers are larger in the acromegaly patients
Significant soft tissue overgrowth of the hand persists in former acromegaly patients, even after long-term remission
Summary
Is an uncommon clinical condition that is caused by prolonged exposure to immoderate quantities of growth hormone (GH). Previous studies have focused mainly on calculations derived from radiographic images of the bony tissue of the hand [6,7,8]. None of these methods is a standardized method in the follow-up protocol so far. Acral overgrowth is a highly common clinical sign in patients with active acromegaly To what extent this overgrowth persists after long-term remission of acromegaly is largely unknown. The aim of the recent study was to compare the 3D soft tissue characteristics of the hands of patients in long-term remission of acromegaly to those of a healthy pair matched control group. 3D photographs of both hands were acquired and analyzed using a 3D computer software program
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