Open AccessSurgical management of acromegaly in a resource-challenged environment
Author(s) -
Idowu Olufemi Emmanuel,
Audu Safina Mary-anne
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
nigerian medical journal/nigerian medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2229-774X
pISSN - 0300-1652
DOI - 10.4103/0300-1652.149181
Subject(s) - acromegaly , medicine , pituitary adenoma , growth hormone , resource use , general surgery , adenoma , surgery , hormone , natural resource economics , economics
The management of acromegaly caused by an uncommon growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma can be challenging in low-resource African subregion. We conducted a study over a 2-year period to describe the results and challenges following surgical treatment of this rare condition in our centre. The clinical outcome was defined as successful based on the surgeon's intraoperative observation, postoperative neuroimaging findings and neuroendocrinological results. A total of three patients (two males and one female) aged 19-32 years were included. Visual impairment was the main presenting symptom in all the three patients. The postoperative period was uneventful. Acromegaly is an uncommon disorder in our region. Surgery is the treatment of choice in low-resource practice.