Acromegaly Flashcards
1
Q
What is acromegaly?
A
Oversecretion of growth hormone
2
Q
What is invariably the cause of acromegaly?
A
Pituitary adenoma
3
Q
What are the most reliable features for diagnosis of acromegaly?
A
Symptoms
- Headache (frontal/occipital)
- Enlargement of hands and feet
Signs
- Broad spade-like hands
- Prominent brow and jaw
- Soft tissue thickening of face
4
Q
What test is used to diagnose acromegaly?
A
Oral glucose tolerance test - glucose should suppress growth hormone - doesn’t occur in acromegaly.
5
Q
What imaging is used in acromegaly?
A
MR scan invariably shows pituitary adenoma.
6
Q
What is the management of acromegaly?
A
Excise adenoma
Dopminergic agonist can suppress GH secretion and alleviate symptoms but rarely curative.
