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Three-dimensional facial analysis in acromegaly: a novel tool to quantify craniofacial characteristics after long-term remission

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Abstract

Purpose

The exact quantification of craniofacial characteristics in patients with acromegaly is important because it provides insight in the pathophysiology of the disease and offers a tool to evaluate the effects of treatment on tissue specific endpoints. However, until recently this was not feasible due to limitations of available cephalometric methods. The new technique of three-dimensional (3D) cephalometry enables the accurate quantification of facial anatomical characteristics of both soft tissue and bone. This is the first study that uses 3D cephalometry to analyze craniofacial disproportions in patients in long-term remission of acromegaly.

Methods

Sixteen patients in remission of acromegaly for over 24 months (50 % male, mean age 56.0 ± 10.7 years, mean body mass index 29.3 ± 5.5 kg/m2) were compared to 16 matched control subjects. A 3D cone beam computed tomography scan and 3D stereophotograph of each individual were acquired and analyzed using 3D cephalometry.

Results

In addition to an accurate quantification of the classical craniofacial characteristics, 3D cephalometry, shows that many typical soft tissue deformities persist, even after long-term remission. Furthermore, we found that, compared to controls, the patients in remission of acromegaly have a wider face at the level of the zygoma and longer maxilla (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

3D cephalometry is an attractive novel imaging modality to accurately investigate craniofacial disproportions of both soft tissue and bony parts of the face in patients with acromegaly, which makes it a promising technique for future research purposes and clinical practice.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by IPSEN.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    M. A. E. M. Wagenmakers, S. H. P. P. Roerink, R. H. Pelleboer, J. W. A. Smit, A. R. M. M. Hermus & R. T. Netea-Maier

  2. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 8, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    T. J. J. Maal, S. J. Bergé & T. Xi

Authors
  1. M. A. E. M. Wagenmakers
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  2. S. H. P. P. Roerink
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  3. T. J. J. Maal
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  4. R. H. Pelleboer
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  5. J. W. A. Smit
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  6. A. R. M. M. Hermus
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  7. S. J. Bergé
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  8. R. T. Netea-Maier
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  9. T. Xi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. A. E. M. Wagenmakers.

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Wagenmakers, M.A.E.M., Roerink, S.H.P.P., Maal, T.J.J. et al. Three-dimensional facial analysis in acromegaly: a novel tool to quantify craniofacial characteristics after long-term remission. Pituitary 18, 126–134 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-014-0565-x

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