Acromegaly

Disease class: bone diseases, Endocrine  
Disease class: Hyperpituitarism

Signs

• Large hands
• Large feet
• Masculinised face
• Masculinised voice

 

Causes

• Pituitary adenoma (over 99%)

 

Pathophysiology

• Pituitary hyperfunction, excessive secretion of human growth hormone.
• After the metaphyses of the long bones have fused, they cannot grow longer (no height gain).
• Some bones can continue growing. This includes the bones of the head, hands, and feet. 

 

Management

• Underlying cause must be treated to prevent progression.