Clinico-radiological correlation in childhood hypopituitarism

Abstract

Non-tumor etiology constitutes a major group of childhood hypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance imaging has enormously complimented hormonal assessment in these patients. We describe clinico-radiological correlates in thirty-one children (23 boys), aged 1-17 years with a peak GH (growth hormone) levels <7 ng/mL after pharmacological stimuli. Hypoplastic pituitary gland was the most frequent abnormality in children with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) as compared to stalk abnormalities in children with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies. MRI tetrad (hypoplastic/absent pituitary, hypoplastic stalk, absent/ectopic posterior pituitary bright spot and empty sella) was more prevalent in IGHD. MRI abnormalities correlated with the severity of growth hormone deficiency.