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. 2023 Sep;28(3):200-205.
doi: 10.6065/apem.2244192.096. Epub 2023 Sep 19.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in central precocious puberty patients: is routine MRI necessary for newly diagnosed patients?

Ye Rim Oh  1 , Yu Jin Kim  1 , Kyeong Eun Oh  1 , Gyu Hyun Park  1 , Eungu Kang  1 , Hyo-Kyoung Nam  1 , Young-Jun Rhie  1 , Saelin Oh  2 , Kee-Hyoung Lee  1
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Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in central precocious puberty patients: is routine MRI necessary for newly diagnosed patients?

Ye Rim Oh et al. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: The overall incidence of central precocious puberty (CPP) has increased in recent decades, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluations are recommended in cases of suspected brain lesions. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MRI abnormalities and to evaluate the need for routine brain MRI in patients with newly diagnosed CPP.

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the data of patients newly diagnosed with CPP who underwent routine pituitary MRI at Korea University Anam Hospital from March 2020 to September 2021. A total of 199 girls and 24 boys was enrolled in this study. Positive MRI findings were categorized as abnormal pituitary, nonpituitary incidental, and pathological. In addition, we investigated the incidence of MRI abnormalities and evaluated their associations with clinical and biochemical factors.

Results: Positive brain MRI findings were observed in 84 patients (37.7%). Pituitary abnormalities were found in 54 patients (24.2%), with Rathke cleft cysts being the most common (16.1%). Incidental nonpituitary findings were observed in 29 patients (13.0%), while a pathological brain lesion (diagnosed as hypothalamic hamartoma) was observed in only 1 female patient (0.4%). No significant differences in sex or age were found in incidence of pituitary abnormalities or nonpituitary incidental findings. Compared with headache controls, significant associations were observed between abnormal pituitary findings on MRI and CPP (unadjusted odds ratio, 3.979; 95% confidence interval, 1.726-9.173).

Conclusion: True pathological findings were rare, even though the prevalence of abnormalities on pituitary MRI in patients with CPP was relatively high. Considering its cost-effectiveness, MRI screenings should be carefully considered in patients with CPP.

Keywords: Child; Magnetic resonance imaging; Precocious puberty.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Flowchart of study process. CPP, central precocious puberty; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.
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