Hyperpituitarism

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Overview
Hyperpituitarism is the result of excess secretion of adenohypophyseal trophic hormones most commonly by a functional pituitary adenoma. Other causes are hyperplasias and carcinomas of the adenohypophysis, secretion by non-pituitary tumours and certain hypothalamic disorders.

Clinical manifestations
Depending on the cell type(s) affected, clinical manifestations of hormone excess may include:
 * Hyperprolactinaemia
 * Cushing's disease
 * Precocious puberty
 * Gigantism or Acromegaly
 * Hyperthyroidism (rare)

Associated conditions
When there is an enlargement of the pituitary tissue, hyperpituitarism is often associated with:
 * Visual field defects, classically bitemporal hemianopia
 * Radiographic abnormalities of the sella turcica, such as sellar expansion, bony erosion and disuption of the diaphragma sellae
 * Increased intracranial pressure

Symptoms
Symptoms caused by hormone excess and associated mass effects include:
 * Headache
 * Visual field loss or Double vision
 * Excessive sweating
 * Hoarseness
 * Milk secretion from breast
 * Sleep apnea
 * Carpal tunnel syndrome
 * Joint pain and limitation of motion
 * Muscle weakness
 * Numbness or tingling of skin