Obstructive sleep apnea caused by acromegaly: Case report.

BACKGROUND

Acromegaly is an uncommon syndrome caused by growth hormone-producing pituitary adenoma or pituitary gland hypertrophy. Acromegaly is known to be characterized by progressive somatic disfigurement and a wide range of systematic manifestations. This case study describes a rare case of severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) caused by acromegaly.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A female patient presented to the consultant clinic with the chief complaint of progressively worsening sleep and was diagnosed with severe OSA. Because of a peculiar facial appearance of the patient, acromegaly was suspected and confirmed by the findings of hormonal analysis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary adenoma, her OSA was almost cured, with residual AHI of 5.5.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the importance of a comprehensive clinical examination of OSA patients. In every sleep-related breathing disorder case, sleep clinicians should be aware of alternate problems that could cause upper airway obstruction.