Kopanos Stylianos, Feldkamp Joachim
Academic Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Infectiology, Klinikum Bielefeld, Medical School and University Medical Centre East Westphalia-Lippe Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, DEU.
Cureus. 2025 Jul 19;17(7):e88323. doi: 10.7759/cureus.88323. eCollection 2025 Jul.
The simultaneous occurrence of Addison's disease and acromegaly presents a unique and complex clinical challenge. Addison's disease, characterized by autoimmune adrenal destruction, results in cortisol and aldosterone deficiencies, while acromegaly stems from excessive growth hormone secretion, usually due to a pituitary adenoma. Their coexistence complicates diagnosis and management due to overlapping systemic effects. We report a 53-year-old woman initially diagnosed with Addison's disease, presenting with fatigue, hypotension, and hyperpigmentation. Four years later, she developed acromegalic symptoms, including acral enlargement and hyperhidrosis. Laboratory assessments confirmed elevated insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone levels, with imaging revealing two pituitary microadenomas. The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery, achieving tumor debulking and hormonal stabilization. Addison's disease management involved hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone, and levothyroxine, complicated by metabolic instability and hypertension. Additional comorbidities included diabetes, glaucoma, and sleep apnea, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach. Long-term follow-up demonstrated stable IGF-1 levels and no recurrence. This case illustrates the rare co-occurrence of Addison's disease and acromegaly, highlighting diagnostic delays, difficulties in endocrine management, and the critical importance of structured long-term follow-up. Special attention is paid to the impact of incomplete mineralocorticoid evaluation, missed opportunities for early diabetes screening, and evolving pituitary insufficiency after tumor resection.
艾迪生病和肢端肥大症同时出现带来了独特而复杂的临床挑战。艾迪生病以自身免疫性肾上腺破坏为特征,导致皮质醇和醛固酮缺乏,而肢端肥大症则源于生长激素分泌过多,通常是由于垂体腺瘤所致。它们的共存由于重叠的全身效应而使诊断和管理变得复杂。我们报告了一名53岁女性,最初被诊断为艾迪生病,表现为疲劳、低血压和色素沉着。四年后,她出现了肢端肥大症症状,包括手足增大和多汗。实验室评估证实胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)和生长激素水平升高,影像学检查发现两个垂体微腺瘤。该患者接受了经蝶窦手术,实现了肿瘤减瘤和激素稳定。艾迪生病的管理包括氢化可的松、氟氢可的松和左甲状腺素,伴有代谢不稳定和高血压等并发症。其他合并症包括糖尿病、青光眼和睡眠呼吸暂停,需要多学科方法。长期随访显示IGF-1水平稳定且无复发。该病例说明了艾迪生病和肢端肥大症罕见的同时出现,突出了诊断延迟、内分泌管理困难以及结构化长期随访的至关重要性。特别关注了盐皮质激素评估不完整的影响、早期糖尿病筛查错过的机会以及肿瘤切除后不断演变的垂体功能不全。