Acromegaly / by Maximilian Sternberg ; translated by F.R.B. Atkinson.

  • Sternberg, Maximilian, 1863-
Date:
[1899]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Acromegaly / by Maximilian Sternberg ; translated by F.R.B. Atkinson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    OO exjjeiise of the cancellous part (Boltz), at another time the compact tissue is extraordinarily thin, the cancellous very vascular and gi’eatly developed (ilosse and Dannie). TJsually the process of absorption in the alveolar process of the under jaw appears to preponderate over the formation of new bone (Klebs, Duchesnaxi). In the jxosition of the cartilages also new osseous forma- tion takes jdace (Klebs, !Marie-Marinesco). The cartilage shows a large cartilaginous capside, rich in cells, and is frequently thickened; the bone-forming vascular tracks penetrate into it. The young lax’er of bone, especially in the region of the periosteum, lies over the growing cartilage. These processes take place especiallj^ in the cartilages of the ribs (Klebs, Arnold). As a result of them, lengthening of the epiphysis may be brought about (Cepeda). Probably the augmented Increase in length, which the long bones of the hand occasionally show (Holsti, “ type geant ” of hand of Marie) is connected with them. Increase of cells and fibrous changes (Marie and Marinesco) are present in the cartilages of the nose. The cartilages of the joints are, as just mentioned, in some cases thickened, in others, on the contrary, thinned, and unex en . the outer surface may be destroyed by fibrous tissue and be set with excrescences. The whole surface of the joint may be enlarged by a deposit of bone, or it may be compressed by small osteophytes on the edge, which can hinder the movements. All these are changes which may be spoken of as arthritis deformans.* These changes are not constant. T et it is questionable Avhether they should be considered as accidental and not essential to acromegaly, as Arnold does, since strengthening of the muscxilar and liga- mentous attachments, which is a tyjxical acromegalic appear- ance, is also the rule in arthritis deformans (a characteristic of the disease). This points to a deeper connection. Besides the changes in the structure of the bones, those of the skin are es])ecially responsible for the surprising sli.ipe of the body in acromegaly. The cellular tissue of the skin and true skin are especially much thickened at the here to do with the well-known difficulties, which arise because the pa o ogdeal anatcmist and clinician denote by this name various conditions. :!