Diabetic ketoacidosis: an unusual presentation of acromegaly

Secondary diabetes mellitus is known to occur in acromegaly due to insulin resistance caused by growth hormone excess. However, diabetes in acromegaly usually does not lead to ketosis. We describe an unusual case of a patient that presented with diabetic ketoacidosis in the emergency room with thirst, polyuria and dyspnoea. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with a growth hormone-secreting pitutary macroadenoma as the underlying pathology; after initial stabilisation with insulin and fluids, the patient was successfully treated with trans-sphenoidal surgery.