The McCune-Albright syndrome

Abstract

The presence of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of bone, hyperpigmented skin macules, and precocious sexual development in children is known as the McCune-Albright syndrome. To date, a complex combination of multiple endocrinopathies including goiter, hyperthyroidism, acromegaly, Cushing syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, sexual precocity, hyperparathyroidism, and hypophosphatemic hyperphosphaturic rickets have been described in association with this syndrome. Even though the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the development of the endocrinopathies is unknown, it was assumed for many years that hypothalamic dysfunction was the cause in most cases. The overwhelming amount of data now permits the development of an alternate hypothesis; one of hyperfunctioning endocrine organs working with relative autonomy from hypothalamic control.