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Case Reports
. 2022 May 30;14(2):151-156.
doi: 10.1159/000525069. eCollection 2022 May-Aug.

Acromegaly Presenting with Resistant Acne Vulgaris

Fatema Abdulwahab Khamdan  1   2 , Milaan A Shah  3 , Maryam Ahmed Khamdan  1 , Eman Albasri  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Acromegaly Presenting with Resistant Acne Vulgaris

Fatema Abdulwahab Khamdan et al. Case Rep Dermatol. .

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is one of the most frequent skin diseases worldwide, triggered by multiple endogenous and exogenous factors. Hormones, particularly growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin, CRH, and glucocorticoids, play a major role in the pathogenesis and exacerbation of acne. Excess GH seen in acromegalic patients may result in increased size and function of sweat glands and sebaceous glands, which may contribute to the patient's worsening acne and interfere with dermatologic treatment. Therefore, understanding the pathogenesis of acne will help in treating resistant acne by diagnosing and treating the underlying etiology using multidisciplinary treatment.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris; Acromegaly; Resistant acne.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Fatema Abdulwahab Khamdan, Milaan A. Shah, Dr. Maryam Ahmed Khamdan, and Dr. Eman Albasri have no conflicts to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Features of acromegaly on the face including frontal bossing, prognathism, thick eyelids, large triangular nose, and thickened lower lip.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Multiple inflammatory papules, tender nodules, and grouped, polyporous comedones as well as multiple scars on the back and chest.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A large sellar lesion showing significant intrasphenoidal and, to a lesser extent, suprasellar extension with heterogeneous peripheral enhancement and central necrosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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