Synonym(s)
Hyperpituitarism; acromegalic gigantism (prepubertal children)
Definition
A metabolic disorder caused by excess growth hormone that results in gradual enlargement of body tissues, including the bones of the face, jaw, hands, feet, and skull
Pathogenesis
Growth-hormone-secreting pituitary tumors; rarely caused by ectopic growth hormone overproduction by lung or pancreas tumors
Clinical manifestation
Coarsening of facial features; darkening of the skin; large, spade-like hands and feet; excessive sweating; hypertrichosis; oily skin; enlargement of the nose; thickening of heel pads; hard and thickened nails
Differential diagnosis
Pachydermoperiostosis; pseudoacromegaloidism; hypothyroidism
Therapy
Transsphenoidal adenomectomy; supervoltage pituitary gland radiation; octreotide 50–500 mcg SC three time daily; bromocriptine 1.25mg PO daily initially, increased gradually to 20–30mg PO daily
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References
Ben-Shlomo A, Melmed S (2001) Acromegaly. Endocrinology & Metabolism Clinics of North America 30(3):565–583
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© 2004 Springer-Verlag
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(2004). Acromegaly. In: Levine, N., Levine, C.C. (eds) Dermatology Therapy. A to Z Essentials. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29668-9_75
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29668-9_75
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-00864-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-29668-3
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