IDDM accompanied by a growth hormone-producing pituitary adenoma. A case report

A 30-year-old Japanese man who presented with recurrent ketoacidosis caused by IDDM was found to have increased secretion of growth hormone (GH). On initial cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), no pituitary lesion was detected; however, a pituitary microadenoma was found 2 years later during a repeat MRI. In spite of the hypersecretion of GH, serum IGF-I was dramatically suppressed. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed to resect the pituitary tumor that was histologically an acidophilic pituitary adenoma. Although the GH excess rapidly improved postoperatively, the IGF-I level remained low. Subsequent insulin therapy initiated 1 year after the operation elevated the serum IGF-I level to within the normal range.

The first case of coexistent IDDM and a GH-producing pituitary adenoma suggests that patients with uncontrolled IDDM may develop GH hypersecretion. Furthermore, the low IGF-I levels may be closely associated with the GH excess and with the development or progression of GH-secreting pituitary adenomas.