Acromegaly Flashcards

1
Q

What is acromegaly?

A

Constellation of signs and symptoms caused by hypersecretion of GH in adults (Excess GH before puberty results in gigantism)

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2
Q

What is the aetiology of acromegaly?

A
  • Most cases are a result of GH-secreting pituitary adenoma - Rarely: Excess GHRH causing somatotroph hyperplasia from hypothalamic ganglioneuroma, bronchial carcinoid or pancreatic tumours
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3
Q

What is the epidemiology of acromegaly?

A
  • Rare - Age at diagnosis: 40-50
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4
Q

What are the presenting symptoms of acromegaly?

A
  • Very gradual progression of symptoms over many years - May complain of rings and shoes becoming tight - Increased sweating, headache, carpal tunnel syndrome - Symptoms of hypopituitarism (hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism) Visual disturbances (caused by optic chiasmm compression - Hyperprolactinaemia (irregular periods, reduced libido, impotence)
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5
Q

What are the signs of acromegaly on examination?

A
  • Hands: Enlarged spade-like hands with thick greasy skin. Signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. Premature oesteoarthritis (which also affects other large joints, temporomandibular joint) - Face: Prominent eyebrow ridge (frontal bossing) and cheeks, broad nose bridge, prominent nasolabial folds, thick lips, increased gap between teeth, large tongue, progathism, husky resonant voice (thickening vocal cords) - Visual field loss: Bitemporal superior quadrantanopia progressing to bitemporal hemianopia (caused by pituitary tumour compressing the optic chiasm) - Neck: Multi-nodular goitre - Feet: enlarged
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6
Q

What are the investigations for acromegaly?

A
  • Serum IGF-1: GH stimulates liver IGF-1 secretion - Oral glucose tolerance test: Failure of suppression of GH after 75h oral glucose load (false positive results seen in anorexia nervosa, Wilson’s disease, opiate addiction - Pituitary function tests: 9am cortisol, free T4 and TSH, LH, FSH, testosterone (in men) and prolactin (to test for hypopituitarism - MRI of the brain: to image the pituitary tumour and effect on the optic chiasm
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7
Q

How is acromegaly managed?

A
  • Surgical: Trans-spenoidal hypophysectomy is the only curative treatment - Radiotherapy: Adjunctive treatment to surgery - Medical: If surgery is contra-indicated or reduced - SC somatostatin analogues (octreotide, lanreotide) Side effects: abdo pain, steatorrhoea glucose intolerance, gallstones, irritation at injection site - Oral dopamine agonists (bromocriptine, cabergoline) SE: nausea, vomiting, constipation, postural hypotension (raised dose gradually and take it during meals) psychosis - GH antagonist (pegvisomant) - Monitor: GH and IGF1 levels can be used to monitor disease control. Pituitary function tests, echocardiography, regular colonoscopy and blood glucose
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8
Q

What are the possible complications of acromegaly?

A
  • CVS: cardiomyopathy, hypertension - Respiratory: Obstructive sleep apnoea - GI: colonic polyps - Reproductive: Hyperprolactinaemia - Metabolic: Hypercalcaemia, Hyperphosphataemia, renal stones, diabetes mellitus, Hypertriglyceridaemia - Psychological: Depression, psychosis (resulting from dopamine agonist therapy) - Complications of surgery: Nasoseptal perforation, hypopituitarism, adenoma recurrence, CSF leak, infection (meninges, sphenoid sinus)
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9
Q

What is the prognosis for acromegaly?

A

Good with early diagnosis and treatment, although physical changes are irreversible

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