Frequency of hyperostosis frontalis interna in patients with active acromegaly: is there a possible role of GH excess or hyperprolactinemia in its etiopathogenesis?

Purpose Acromegaly is characterized by bone changes due to excessive growth hormone (GH) secretion. Hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) is described as an overgrowth in the inner plate of the frontal bone. An increased incidence of HFI has been reported in patients with acromegaly. Since the etiology of HFI is poorly understood, we have analyzed whether there is a relationship between the hormonal and metabolic status of patients with acromegaly (with or without hyperprolactinemia) and the pathogenesis of HFI. Methods Forty-five patients with acromegaly and two control groups consisting of 25 patients with prolactinoma (group 1) and 47 healthy subjects (group 2) were included in this retrospective study. Baseline hormonal data and cranial imaging were obtained from medical records and analyzed. Results Mean frontal bone thickness was 6.75 mm in acromegaly, 4.85 mm in group 1, and 5.1 mm in group 2 of controls ( p