Preoperative diagnosis of acromegaly by growth hormone-releasing factor radioimmunoassay.

Abstract

Acromegaly was diagnosed in a 37-year-old woman with classical physical and biochemical findings; an enlarged sella on computed tomography suggested the presence of a pituitary macroadenoma. Radiologic evidence of a lung mass prompted radioimmunoassay of plasma growth hormone-releasing factor (7,500 pg/ml; normal less than 100 pg/ml). After resection of a bronchial carcinoid, which stained positive for growth hormone-releasing factor, circulating growth hormone-releasing factor levels normalized. Subsequently, her clinical, biochemical, and radiologic evidence for acromegaly resolved. This case represents the first reported use of the human pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factor 1-40 radioimmunoassay to preoperatively diagnose this rare etiology of acromegaly.

• Authors: R J Barth, R B Constant, M W Parker, G L Mueller, K Kovacs, M O Thorner
• Journal: Military medicine (Mil Med) Vol. 156 Issue 7 Pg. 375-8 (Jul 1991) ISSN: 0026-4075 [Print] England
• PMID: 1922854 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone

Topics

• Acromegaly (diagnosis, etiology, surgery)
• Adult
• Carcinoid Tumor (complications, metabolism)
• Female
• Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (blood, metabolism)
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (complications, metabolism)
• Preoperative Care
• Radioimmunoassay