VOICE CHANGES IN ACROMEGALY

The fundamental frequency of 14 patients undergoing hypophysectomy was studied. Eight patients had acromegaly, 3 had a prolactinoma, and 3 h ad nonfunctioning adenomas. The fundamental frequency of 22 normal, he althy volunteers was measured for comparison. In addition, the externa l size of the larynx of all patients and volunteers was measured and a relationship between external laryngeal size and the mean fundamental frequency was identified in the volunteers. The mean fundamental freq uency in patients with acromegaly was significantly lower than the oth er 6 patients undergoing hypophysectomy and, in addition, was also low er than the 22 normal volunteers. Postoperatively the fundamental freq uency of the acromegalic patients increased rapidly to within the expe cted normal range. Patients with acromegaly have a lowered fundamental frequency which is most likely due to altered vocal cord mass and ela sticity, which is a reversible change. Patients with acromegaly can ex pect a rapid and complete return of normal fundamental frequency withi n 2 weeks of surgery to remove the pituitary adenoma.