Muscle changes in acromegaly.

Abstract

Muscle biopsy specimens were obtained from 18 patients with acromegaly of varying degrees of severity. Half the specimens showed hypertrophy of type 1 fibres, while atrophy was most often seen in type 2 fibres. A direct correlation between muscle appearances and growth hormone levels was not observed. The needle biopsy technique is particularly suitable for determining the natural history of acrometalic myopathy.