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A case of acromegaly
N I Siddiqui1, K S Chowdhury, S Rahman
1Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh. mnisendo@hotmail.com
Mymensingh Medical Journal : MMJ
|April 29, 2003
Summary
This case study highlights a 50-year-old woman diagnosed with acromegaly, a condition caused by excess growth hormone. Early diagnosis and management are crucial for this rare endocrine disorder.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Acromegaly is a rare endocrine disorder caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland, typically due to a benign tumor.
- It leads to gradual enlargement of extremities and characteristic facial changes, along with various systemic complications.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old woman presented with an eight-year history of gradual enlargement of hands, feet, nose, and lower jaw, coarsened skin, headache, vertigo, polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, and fatigue.
- Physical examination revealed hypertension (200/110 mm Hg), coarse features, prognathism, and enlarged acral parts.
- Investigations showed hyperglycemia, elevated plasma growth hormone levels with impaired suppression during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), normal thyroid function, increased heel pad size, and an enlarged sella turcica.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with acromegaly, confirmed by elevated growth hormone levels and characteristic clinical and radiological findings.
- The diagnostic workup identified pituitary gland overactivity as the cause of the patient's symptoms.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of recognizing the diverse clinical manifestations of acromegaly for timely diagnosis.
- Effective management of growth hormone hypersecretion is essential to prevent or mitigate serious complications such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus.