Gigantism

August 26, 2011

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Gigantism is a disease, which is accompanied by increased production growth hormone   in the anterior pituitary ( adenohypophysis ), Resulting in the overgrowth of limb and trunk. The symptoms of gigantism most often seen in boys aged 7-10 years, or at puberty, and develops during the period of growth. Growth of the child exceed the standards of the age and sex, and by the end of puberty can reach 2 m. In men and 1, 90 m. In women, while maintaining body balance. The frequency of symptoms of gigantism - 1-3 persons per 1000 population. Gigantism usually accompanied rapid fatigue and headache, gradual memory impairment   and sexual dysfunction . When the disease can also occur gigantism associated endocrine disorders , namely: diabetes . hypo-   or hyperthyroidism , Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism.

At the heart of gigantism is increased production by the pituitary gland growth hormone , The reasons for which are: genetic predisposition, anterior pituitary tumors (pituitary adenomas), infectious diseases of the central nervous system ( meningitis . encephalitis . abscess ), Traumatic brain injury and poisoning toxins. Another cause of the disease can be a decrease in gigantism receptor sensitivity cartilaginous tissue where bone is rostovaja zone, to sex hormones, resulting in an open area remains, i.e. capable of further growth and the end of puberty.

The symptoms of gigantism

The main symptoms of gigantism are the complaints of the patient on high growth , Excessive growth rate, pain in the joints and bones, muscle weakness, decreased performance at school, often - on the deterioration of vision ( myopia . farsightedness . astigmatism ). There may be disturbances in the thyroid gland and pancreas.

Diagnosis of gigantism

For the diagnosis of "gigantism" endocrinologist examines a patient appoints study radiography skull and holding a computer and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain that can be used to identify tumors in the pituitary gland. When growing tumor patients often deteriorating eyesight, so that may be imposed, and ophthalmologic examination, which revealed the limitations of visual fields and stagnation in the fundus. Diagnosis gigantism also includes laboratory tests of blood. Blood test results show an increased concentration level somatotropin .

Treatment of gigantism

For the treatment of gigantism used Conservative   and Surgical   treatments. To normalize the level of growth hormone in the body and accelerate the closure of areas of bone growth, gigantism patients prescribed hormone therapy, consisting of a course and sex hormone somatostatin. To surgical treatments include radiation therapy to remove the pituitary adenoma, or its surgical removal, in conjunction with medical support dopamine agonists   ( parlodel . dostineks ). Who uses complex treatment of gigantism that combines radiation and hormonal therapy, to achieve significant improvements in a large number of patients with gigantism.

Prevention of gigantism

The basis of prevention is to combat gigantism epidemics Which may disrupt the growth process. It is also important to avoid excessive intake of vitamins and promptly treat peripheral endocrine disorders in children, especially sexual infantilism . As prevention gigantism planned inspections conducted in youths aged 13-16 for signs of gigantism. Timely detection of the first symptoms of gigantism may contribute to its complete cure.