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Acromegaly x ray

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]

Overview

On x-ray, acromegaly is characterized by widening of the joint spaces, soft tissue hypertrophy, and osteophyte formation.

X Ray

An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of acromegaly. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of acromegaly include:^[1]
- Widening of joint spaces
- Soft tissue hypertrophy
- Osteophyte formation

AP radiograph of the hand shows ungal tufting, widening of the bases of distal phalanges, metacarpal osteophytes on radial aspect (metacarpal hooks) and soft tissue hypertrophy. Source: Dr Henry Knipe, <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/“>Radiopaedia.org</a>. From the case <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/cases/5743“>rID: 5743</a>

X ray in the skull has the following findings:
- Enlarged sella with double flooring
- Thickened skull vault
- Prognathism

Lateral radiograph of skull reveals enlarged sella with double flooring, thickened skull vault, pneumosinus dilatans and prognathism. Source: Dr Henry Knipe, <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/“>Radiopaedia.org</a>. From the case <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/cases/5743“>rID: 5743</a>

References

↑ Biermasz NR, van ‘t Klooster R, Wassenaar MJ, Malm SH, Claessen KM, Nelissen RG; et al. (2012). “Automated image analysis of hand radiographs reveals widened joint spaces in patients with long-term control of acromegaly: relation to disease activity and symptoms”. Eur J Endocrinol. 166 (3): 407–13. doi:10.1530/EJE-11-0795. PMID 22170798.

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