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Growth hormone deficiency in children: Role of magnetic resonance imaging in assessing aetiopathogenesis and prognosis in idiopathic hypopituitarism

  • Endocrinology
  • Published:
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Abstract

To search for the presence of morphostructural abnormalities of the hypothalamus-pituitary region in growth hormone deficient (GHD) children magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 30 GHD patients (age 10.09±3.5 years) and in 15 healthy agematched controls. MRI demonstrated a significantly small sella and pituitary volume compared to controls and normal literatures values. In 20 patients the structures were extremely small and an abnormal development of the pituitary stalk was observed, and in 18 of these patients the bright spot indicating the neurohypophysis was dislocated to the distal part of the mal-developed stalk, although these children had a normal fluid balance. From a functional point of view hypothalamus and pituitary defects were equally distributed between the two morphological groups. The patients with multiple endocrine defects had the smallest pituitary volume and abnormal stalk. A possible pathogenetic role of perinatal trauma or dysembriogenic events are discussed. A careful follow up of patients with isolated GHD presenting MRI abnormalities of the pituitary is suggested for the possible evolution in panhypopituitarism.

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Abbreviations

CT:

computed tomography

GH:

growth hormone

GHD:

growth hormone deficiency

GHRH:

growth hormone releasing hormone

HV:

hypophyseal volume

IGHD:

isolated growth hormone deficiency

MPHD:

multiple pituitary hormone deficiency

MRI:

magnetic resonance imaging

SV:

sellar volume

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics, Endocrine Unit, Scientific Institute H San Raffaele, via Olgettina 60, I-20132, Milan, Italy

    C. Pellini, B. di Natale, R. De Angelis, N. Bressani & G. Chiumello

  2. Section of Neuroradiology, Scientific Institute H San Raffaele, via Olgettina 60, I-20132, Milan, Italy

    G. Scotti & F. Triulzi

Authors
  1. C. Pellini
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  2. B. di Natale
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  3. R. De Angelis
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  4. N. Bressani
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  5. G. Scotti
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  6. F. Triulzi
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  7. G. Chiumello
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Pellini, C., di Natale, B., De Angelis, R. et al. Growth hormone deficiency in children: Role of magnetic resonance imaging in assessing aetiopathogenesis and prognosis in idiopathic hypopituitarism. Eur J Pediatr 149, 536–541 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957687

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957687

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