Acromegaly and transsphenoidal hypophysectomy: a case report

Anterior pituitary tumors account for nearly 18% of all intracranial tumors. Pituitary adenomas that cause hypersecretion of growth hormone lead to acromegaly in adults. Patients with acromegaly may present unique problems for the anesthetist because of the overgrowth of airway soft tissues; a difficult mask ventilation and challenging intubation can be expected. A careful preoperative assessment of the patient's airway is essential, and an awake oral or fiberoptic bronchoscopy may be necessary. Postoperatively, these patients are at risk for developing airway problems and diabetes insipidus; therefore, they warrant careful observation. A 42-year-old, 75-kg, ASA physical status III, white male presented 8 months after suffering a head injury in which he was knocked unconscious for approximately 3 minutes. He began experiencing severe headaches, visual changes, and a marked increase in the size of his hands and feet. Four months before admission, he underwent bilateral carpal tunnel repairs. The patient was diagnosed with acromegaly after an extensive endocrine and neurosurgical evaluation. This is a case report of a patient with acromegaly who underwent an elective transsphenoidal hypophysectomy.