title: Early post-operative growth hormone levels predict the result of transsphenoidal tumour removal in acromegaly.
abstract: Serum human growth hormone (hGH) measurements were performed during transsphenoidal microsurgery for acromegaly and in the early period afterwards. There were 14 patients of which 2 were operated on twice. In 11 patients (2 patients at reoperation) the serum hGH concentration was normalized to less than 5 micrograms/l within 3 h after completion of surgery. On five occasions only partial restoration of the hGH values was obtained and additional treatment was given in 2 patients by successful re-operation. The early post-operative hGH concentrations were consistent with the clinical evaluation of the patients and the hGH concentrations during follow-up for an average of 27 months. We conclude that early post-operative serum hGH measurement is of value for evaluation of the efficiency of the tumour removal and the need for further treatment.
mesh_terms: D000172:Acromegaly / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D000236:Adenoma / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone