Gigantism and Acromegaly atf.mp4

2. Gigantism.mp4

• Cause: The increase in growth hormone before adolescence, and prior to the union of the epiphysis with the shaft, can be attributed to an acidophilic adenoma (pituitary adenoma).

Characteristics:

• As this occurs before the union of the epiphysis with the shaft, there is a symmetrical overgrowth of all bones. This makes the patient taller than normal but with normal proportions (span equals height, and the distance from the vertex to the symphysis equals that from the symphysis to the heel).
• There is symmetrical overgrowth of all soft tissues, including the spleen and muscles. At first, the muscles are strong, but they become very weak over time due to overstretching.
• Hyperglycemia and glucosuria develop, and about 10 percent of patients eventually develop diabetes mellitus.
• Hypogonadism may occur due to pressure on basophils secreting gonadotropins.
• The condition ends with panhypopituitarism, leading to death due to the destruction of all cells in the pituitary gland.

Treatment: The tumor can be removed through microsurgery or by irradiating the pituitary gland.