Endocrine disturbances in suprasellar germinomas

Abstract

The authors have investigated hypothalamic-pituitary function in 8 patients (aged 9-27 years) with surgically and histologically proven suprasellar germinomas. Diabetes insipidus was found in 7 patients. All the patients had hypogonadism and hypocortisolism as judged by dynamic endocrine testing. Hypothyroidism was found in 6. Moreover, growth hormone secretion, as assessed by insulin-induced hypoglycemia, was defective in all patients. Comparison of results of insulin-induced hypoglycemia testing and stimulation tests by CRH and GHRH suggested that all patients had a primary suprahypophyseal lesion rather than a primary pituitary defect. The authors conclude that suprasellar germinomas, although uncommon, should be included in the differential diagnosis of juvenile suprasellar tumours and in cases suggestive of idiopathic diabetes insipidus, even if neuroradiological investigation fails to demonstrate a discrete tumour.