Journal
HNO
Volume 57, Issue 8, Pages 845-849Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00106-009-1951-y
Keywords
Acromegaly; German Acromegaly Register; HGH; IGF-1; Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
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Acromegaly is a rare disease caused by a growth-hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma. Symptoms include enlargement of the hands, feet, and jaw with growing dental interspaces, as well as hypertrophy of the tongue and nasal and sinusoidal mucosa. The two latter symptoms are mostly responsible for the accompanying obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Besides these cosmetic symptoms, the disease is associated with hypertension and diabetes mellitus, as well as with an increased risk for adenomas and carcinomas of the colon. The average time span from first symptom to diagnosis is well over 6 years; a single determination of insulin-like growth factor 1 in serum can confirm the disease. The treatment of choice remains surgical resection of the adenoma in suitable patients, whereas in extensive disease with invasion of surrounding tissue, drug therapy and/or radiotherapy may be necessary.
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