Intensity of pituitary adenoma on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging predicts the response to octreotide treatment in newly diagnosed acromegaly

Background Primary, preoperative medical treatment is an option in selected patients with acromegaly, but a subset of patients respond poorly. Valid prediction of response to somatostatin analogues (SA) might thus alter treatment stratification. The aims of this study were to assess whether T2 signal intensity could determine long-term response to first-line SA treatment and to assess clinical and biochemical baseline characteristics, as well as histological subtype in relation to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances. Methods In 45 newly diagnosed patients, T2-weighted signal intensity of the tumour was classified into hypo-, iso- or hyperintense. Biochemical and clinical baseline variables for the three groups were compared. In 25 patients primarily treated with long-acting SA for a median of 6 months [interquartile range (IQR):155180 days], GH and IGF-1 reduction was assessed, and in 34 cases, immunohistochemical granulation pattern was evaluated. Results The results showed that 12 (27%) adenomas were hypointense, 15 (33%) isointense and 18 (40%) hyperintense. Median IGF-1 [ratio IGF-1/ULN; (upper limit of normal)] was 3.5 (2.34.9), 2.9 (2.63.8) and 1.9 (1.32.6), respectively (P = 0.006 for difference between groups). Median GH values (mu g/l) of a 3- to 5-point profile were 17.5 (6.135), 9.3 (6.032.5) and 4.1 (1.58.3), (P = 0.025). Median IGF-1 reduction (% of baseline) after first-line SA treatment was 51 (4970), 36 (1974) and 13 (542) (P = 0.03); median reduction in GH (% of baseline) was 86 (7294), 78 (6285) and 46 (170) (P = 0.02). T2 hyperintensity was associated with sparse granulation pattern on immunohistochemistry. Conclusion In patients with acromegaly, T2 signal intensity at diagnosis correlates with histological features and predicts biochemical outcome of first-line SA treatment.