Acromegaly is a medical condition caused by an excess of growth hormone (GH) in the body. It is most commonly seen in adults, and it is characterized by abnormal growth of the face, hands, and feet. The most common radiographic appearance of acromegaly is an enlarged sella turcica, which is a bony structure in the skull that houses the pituitary gland.
Subtitle 1: What is Acromegaly?
Acromegaly is a condition caused by an excess of growth hormone (GH) in the body. It is most commonly seen in adults, and it is characterized by abnormal growth of the face, hands, and feet. It is caused by a pituitary tumor that secretes too much GH, and the most common cause of acromegaly is a benign tumor known as an adenoma.
Subtitle 2: Symptoms of Acromegaly
The signs and symptoms of acromegaly can vary greatly, but may include:
• Enlarged hands, feet, and facial features
• Excessive sweating
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Vision problems
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal blood sugar levels
• Abnormal menstrual cycles in women
• Enlarged organs
• Swelling of the soft tissue in the neck
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sleep apnea
Subtitle 3: Diagnosis of Acromegaly
The diagnosis of acromegaly is usually based on a combination of clinical symptoms and laboratory tests. A physical examination may reveal enlarged facial features and hands and feet. Imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan of the brain may be performed to look for a pituitary tumor. Blood tests can be used to measure levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
Subtitle 4: Treatment of Acromegaly
The goal of treatment for acromegaly is to reduce levels of growth hormone. Treatment typically involves medications to reduce the production of GH, surgical removal of the tumor, or radiation therapy. In some cases, a combination of treatments may be recommended. If the tumor is causing pressure on the optic nerve, it may also be necessary to treat the tumor with surgery or radiation therapy.