Acromegaly

Endocrinology

Overview

Definition

Excessive production of growth hormone after the growth plates have closed.

Epidemiology

Rare, prevalence ~60 per 1,000,000.

Etiology & Risk Factors

  • Pituitary adenoma secreting Growth Hormone

Clinical Symptoms

  • Enlarged hands/feet
  • Coarse facial features
  • Macroglossia
  • Deep voice

Clinical Approach

Diagnosis

  • Elevated IGF-1
  • Failure to suppress GH on oral glucose tolerance test
  • MRI Pituitary

Management

  • Transsphenoidal surgical resection
  • Somatostatin analogs (Octreotide)

Complications

  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Colon polyps/cancer
  • Diabetes