Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The aim of our study was to asses changes in the cross sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve by ultrasound in newly diagnosed acromegalic patients 1 year after treatment of acromegaly (transsphenoidal surgery, somatostatine analogues).

Patients and methods: The study included 30 newly diagnosed acromegalic patients (18 females and 12 males) and 30 healthy controls (18 females and 12 males) matched for age, gender and body mass index. Clinical history, physical examinations, laboratory examinations and ultrasound evaluations were performed at baseline and 1 year after treatment of acromegaly.

Results: The CSA of the median nerve was increased in acromegalic patients compared with controls (13.3 ± 2.2 mm² vs. 7.6 ± 1.8 mm² P< 0.001). 1 year after the treatment of acromegaly a significant decrease of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels were achieved. The CSA of the median nerve was significantly reduced 1 year after treatment to 11.7 ±1.8 mm² (P< 0.001). Positive correlation was found between the levels of IGF- I and CSA of the median nerve in acromegalic patients before treatment (r=0.492, P=0.006).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates reduction in median nerve CSA 1 year after treatment of acromegaly. This changes are closely associated with the reduction of IGF- I levels. Biochemical control of acromegaly is important factor for normalization of the median nerve size.

Keywords: acromegaly, cross sectional area of the median nerve, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, ultrasound