Pituitary gigantism syndrome (gigantism syndrome; launois syndrome) 9

General: Increased production of growth hormone due to hyperplasia of the eosinophilic cells and chrom 424b15e ophobe adenoma of the anterior pituitary gland; onset age 8 to 10 years; pituitary adenomas represent 10% to 15% of intracranial neoplasms; 40% of nonfunctioning tumors are prolactinomas; growth hormone-secreting tumors are the next most common type.

Ocular: Field defects according to extent and situation of the pituitary adenoma; optic nerve atrophy (partial).

Clinical: Gigantism; enlarged skull with prominent chin and forehead; retarded skeletal growth; delayed puberty; muscle weakness; headache; perspiration; joint pain; mental retardation; pallor; smooth skin; scanty facial and body hair; small penis and testes; high-pitched voice; large limbs, hands, and feet.

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Hoyt CS, Billson FA. Buphthalmos in neurofibromatosis: is it an expression of regional gigantism? J Pediatr Ophthalmol 1977; 14:228-234.

Milunsky A, et al. Cerebral gigantism in childhood: a report of two cases and a review of the literature. Pediatrics 1967; 40:395.

Prezio JA, et al. Acromegalic gigantism: the buffalo giant. Am J Med 1961; 31:966.

Pruitt A. Brain tumors. In: Albert DM, Jakobiec FA, eds. Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology, vol. IV. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1994.

Rush S, et al. Neuroophthalmic assessment of radiotherapy alone for pituitary microadenomas. Identification of prognostic factors. J Neurosurg 1990; 72:594.