Acromegaly Flashcards
What is acromegaly?
S/S caused by hypersecretion of GH in adults
What is the term used for excess GH before puberty?
GIGANTISM
What causes acromegaly?
GH-secreting pituitary adenoma (95%)
RARELY caused by ectopic GH (or GHRH) production by tumours e.g. pancreatic, lung
What condition is associated with acromegaly?
6% have MEN-1
Describe the epidemiology of acromegaly
RARE
5/ 1,000,000
Age: 40-50y
Give 3 S/S caused by pituitary tumour in acromegaly
Headache
Visual field defect: Bitemporal hemianopia
Hypopituitarism
List 6 changes in appearance that may arise in acromegaly
Enlargement of hands (spade-like) + feet (rings + shoes becoming tight)
Frontal bossing
Enlarged tongue (Macroglossia)
Coarsening of facial features
Growth of jaw (Prognathism)
How do symptoms arise in acromegaly?
Very gradual progression of symptoms over many years
Give an example of a nerve compression syndrome seen in acromegaly
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Name 4 skin features of acromegaly
Excessive sweating
Thick, oily skin
Development of skin tags
+/- mild hirsuitism in females
What arises due to articular overgrowth of synovial tissue and arthropathy in acromegaly?
Arthralgia
Osteoarthritis
Back pain
Kyphosis
What does insulin resistance in acromegaly lead to?
T2DM or glucose intolerance
Acromegaly can give symptoms of hypopituitarism. Describe these
Hypogonadism
Hypothyroidism
Hypoadrenalism
What other hormone is secreted in 1/3 of adenomas causing acromegaly? What does this result in?
Prolactin
Galactorrhoea + Amenorrhoea
What investigations should be used in acromegaly?
Serum IGF-1
(GH stimulates IGF-1 secretion)
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test confirms dx if IGF-1 levels are raised