Premium
Regression of Acromegaly Following Pituitary Apoplexy
Author(s) -
Dunn P. J.,
Donald R. A.,
Espiner E. A.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0004-8291
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1975.tb03275.x
Subject(s) - acromegaly , pituitary apoplexy , medicine , endocrinology , diabetes insipidus , hormone , growth hormone , posterior pituitary , pituitary hormones , somatotropic cell , pituitary gland , pituitary adenoma , adenoma
Summary: A case of acromegaly complicated by pituitary apoplexy is described. The pituitary apoplexy occurred while the patient was under investigation in a metabolic ward permitting full assessment of pituitary function both before and immediately after the event. This demonstrated a remarkably selective reduction in the plasma growth hormone concentration with preservation of other pituitary function excluding mild diabetes insipidus. The plasma growth hormone fell from values greater than 120 ng/ml to less than 4 ng/ml. The brisk inappropriate release of growth hormone observed on stimulation with thyrotrophic hormone releasing hormone, associated with a severe headache and the onset of pituitary apoplexy two days later raised the possibility of provocative tests of pituitary function precipitating pituitary apoplexy.