1. [Acromegalic arthropathy].
- Author
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Perpignano G, Cacace E, Beccaris A, Persod P, Murgia R, Mela Q, Petrini L, and Martino E
- Subjects
- Acromegaly diagnostic imaging, Adult, Aged, Bone and Bones metabolism, Female, Humans, Knee Joint diagnostic imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Osteoarthritis diagnostic imaging, Osteolysis diagnostic imaging, Osteolysis etiology, Radiography, Acromegaly complications, Lumbar Vertebrae diagnostic imaging, Osteoarthritis etiology
- Abstract
Six acromegalic patients, three males (aged 28 to 48 years) and three females (aged 57 to 75 years), with GH-producing pituitary adenoma, were studied through clinical examination, laboratory and instrumental tests. In all the patients frequent involvement of large joints, with crepitus and provoked pain, was found; while articular mobility was normal especially in the dorso-lumbar spine, a frequent seat of pain. Radiology showed typical features of an osteoarthritic process with characteristic widening of articular spaces, especially in weight-bearing large joints in symptomatic patients. The evolution of this arthropathy lead to anatomo-clinical pictures almost indistinguishable from osteoarthritis; however, in the early stages, the marked cartilaginous hypertrophy is responsible for peculiar anatomo-radiological pictures, principally represented by widening of articular spaces and intervertebral discal spaces, especially in the dorso-lumbar spine. As far as bone metabolism is concerned, neoproduction and reabsorption, both increased, proceed simultaneously; bone mass reduction is described in some segments. In our study, the two patients with active acromegaly showed bone mass reduction in the lumbar spine.
- Published
- 1993