Acromegaly Flashcards
What are the causes of acromegaly?
Pituitary tumour
What causes acromegaly?
The pituitary tumour hypersecreting GH
What does the hypersecretion of growth hormone cause physiologically?
Secretion of IGF-1
- Hypertrophy and increased cell division of soft tissue
What are the symptoms of acromegaly? (NOT SIGNS)
Headache
Excessive sweating
Hoarse voice
Obstructive sleep apnoea
Carpal tunnel
What are the signs of acromegaly?
Spade like hands and feet
Coarse facial features
- Prominent supraorbital ring
Wide spaced teeth
What blood tests should be done for acromegaly?
Serum IGF-1
OGTT
What will the results of the IGF-1 test be?
Will be high due to GH stimulation
What are the results of the OGTT?
GH would normally be inhibited by a rise in [BG]
In acromegaly GH will be detected after the OGTT
What surgical treatment can be done for acromegaly?
Trans-sphenoidal surgery
What pharmacological treatment can be done?
Somatostatin analogue
- Octreocide
Dopamine agonists
If surgery is contraindicated what can be done?
Radiotherapy
- May take a long time
What complications can arise from a acromegaly/pituitary tumour?
Chiasmal compression
DM
Hypertension
Cardiomyopathy
