Gigantism

Signs and symptoms

Causes

Pathophysiology

Nursing care plan

Diagnostic studies

Treatment and management

Definition

Tall stature

Mild to moderate obesity (common)

Headache

Visual disturbances

Excessive growth if the hands, feet, with thick fingers and toes

Soft tissue hypertrophy

Octreotide or labreotide

Anti hyperthyroidism hormones

Bromocriptine

Acromegaly and gigantism are both causes by pituitary adenoma that secretes excessive amounts of growth hormone (GH), rarely they cause the non- pituitary tumors that secrete growth hormone.

Occurs if GH is secreted more, begins in childhood, before close of epiphysis

Results from an excessive and hypersecretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland due to hormonal imbalance

Blood results (Elevated blood IGT-level)

Oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)

Endoscopic pituitary surgery

Gamma knife radiosurgery

Wound care after surgery

Rlecate patients head after surgery to facilitate breathing and fluid drainsge. Do not encourage the patient to cough as it interferes with healing of the operative site

Prepare for surgery when patient will undergo surgically remove tumor

Hereditary (family History)