Partial hypopituitarism and possible hypothalamic involvement in sarcoidosis: report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

A 20 year old patient with generalized sarcoidosis is described. Sudden cessation of growth, and failure of development of secondary sex characteristics were noted at age 16. Tests of hypothalamic-pituitary function documented a deficiency of growth hormone and adrenocorticotropin reserve. The patient has osteolytic lesions in the calvarium of his skull, a previously unreported finding in patients with hypopituitarisim seconary to sarcoidosis. This is the 29th reported case of sarcoidosis and hypopituitarism, and the first in which growth hormone deficiency is documented. The literature pertaining to sarcoidosis and hypopituitarism, and sarcoid involvement of the skull is reviewed.