Endocrine function,morbidity, and mortality after surgery for craniopharyngioma.

The records of 59 children with craniopharyngioma first treated between 1960 and 1980 were reviewed. There was a high incidence of postoperative growth hormone deficiency (43 of 43), andrenocorticortopin deficiency (26 of 36), thyrotrophin deficiency (13 of 20), gonadotrophin deficiency (15 of 16), and diabetes insipidus (44 of 58). Fifteen patients have died: diabetes insipidus was a contributory factor in 5 patients who died within the first 4 months of surgery; and 8 further children died unexpectedly after the postoperative period, probably as a result of anterior pituitary insufficiency. In addition, hypopituitarism led to medical emergencies in 12, 9 of whom had symptomatic hypoglycaemia. These findings illustrate the high incidence of pituitary deficits which follow current methods for treating childhood craniopharyngioma, and the long-term risks associated with these deficits.     

Clinical outcome in children with craniopharyngioma treated with primary surgery and radiotherapy deferred until relapse

BACKGROUND: To report the clinical outcome in children with craniopharyngioma following primary surgery and deferred radiotherapy at relapse. PROCEDURE: Twenty-five children with craniopharyngioma were treated with primary surgery. Total resection was achieved in 19 children (76%), while in 24% total resection was not achieved due to tumor adhesion to adjacent critical structures. None of these children received radiation therapy immediately after total or sub-total resection. Radiotherapy was delivered at the time of relapse in 11 patients (44%). RESULTS: The median follow-up from primary surgery was 10 years (3-16 years). The 14 year overall survival was 100%. Tumor recurrence was observed in (12/25) 48% at a median interval of 17 months. Tumor recurrence following total resection was 6/19 (32%) compared to 100% (6/6) following sub-total resection, and radiotherapy. The 2, 3, and 6 years relapse-free survival following initial surgery was 72, 55, and 50%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed only extent of surgery to be significant for local recurrence (P < 0.0001). The sequelae observed in these patients included panhypopituitarism (100%), appetite disorders and hypothalamic obesity (32%), neuropsychological and behavioral disorders (20%), and sleep disorders (12%). Majority of children with non-endocrine complications had a local recurrence requiring further surgery and radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The two standard treatment options in children with craniopharyngioma are primary surgery and sub-total resection followed by radiotherapy. In certain subgroups of patients such as those with large tumors and hypothalamic extension, primary surgery is associated with a high incidence of complications and high failure rates. We recommend utilization of an individualized risk-based treatment approach, that attempts to maximize cure rates without compromising long-term functional outcome in children with craniopharyngiomas.     

Long-term follow-up of children with craniopharyngioma

Management of craniopharyngiomas is still controversial. 28 children with this tumor were studied. GH deficiency was present in 22 patients following surgery, 10 of these GH-lacking patients had normal or accelerated growth (usually associated with rapid weight gain) postoperatively. Somatomedin levels were normal in three of six normally growing patients. After craniotomy their basal and TRH-stimulated prolactin levels were in the normal range, but their insulin secretion was markedly increased. Postoperatively there was a significant correlation between peak insulin levels following arginine infusion and growth velocity in all patients.Complete tumor removal could be performed in 28% of our patients. Altogether 36% of all patients had at least one tumor recurrence. Recent literature with the addition of our series showed tumor recurrence in 22% of patients with total tumor excision and in 72% of patients with partial tumor removal. Radiotherapy seems to be capable of destroying craniopharyngioma tissue. The recurrence rate was only 26% in patients with subtotal excision plus radiotherapy. Unless radical tumor removal can be attempted with safety, subtotal tumor removal plus radiotherapy appears to be the treatment of choice for craniopharyngioma.Abbreviations SD Standard Deviation - SDS Standard Deviation Score - SEM Standard Error of the Mean - BA Bone Age - CA chronological Age - RIA Radioimmunoassay - GH Growth Hormone - TRH Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone     

儿童颅咽管瘤术后重组人生长激素替代治疗疗效及安全性对照研究

目的:观察儿童颅咽管瘤（CP）术后致身材矮小者使用重组人生长激素（rhGH）治疗的疗效及安全性。方法:纳入CP术后在复旦大学附属儿科医院内分泌遗传代谢科定期随访的患儿。分为rhGH治疗组和rhGH未治疗组。CP术后1~3个月病情稳定后首次随访患儿垂体功能,之后每3个月随访身高、体重、甲状腺功能和生长因子（IGF-1、IGF-BP3）,比较两组治疗前后身高变化。每6～12个月随访头颅MRI,观察两组患儿CP复发及继发肿瘤发生情况。结果:CP术后患儿共18例,男、女各9例,均存在生长激素缺乏症（GHD）。rhGH治疗组和rhGH未治疗组分别为6和12例,平均手术年龄分别为（10.1±4.2）和（10.1±4.0）岁。16/18例（88.9%）存在垂体功能减低,其中12例（75.0%）伴甲状腺功能减低,9例（56.2%）伴中枢性尿崩症,4例（25.0%）伴性发育延迟,11例（68.8%）伴促肾上腺皮质激素下降。rhGH治疗组中2例单用rhGH治疗,4例同时使用左旋甲状腺素、醋酸去氨加压素和氢化可的松治疗,开始给予rhGH治疗的时间为术后（3.5±2.4）年,平均治疗时间为（2.6±2.2）年,治疗前身高增长速度（HV）为每年（3.1±1.0）cm,身高标准差（HTSDS）为（-2.63±0.93）,至本文观察时点HV为每年（12.0± 1.10）cm, HTSDS为（-0.21±1.39）,生长因子水平较治疗前明显上升。rhGH未治疗组治疗前HV为每年（3.2±0.9）cm,HTSDS为（-2.44±0.62）,至本文观察时点HV为每年（3.8±1.0）cm,HTSDS为（-3.76±0.97）,生长因子水平治疗前后差异无统计学意义。两组随访头颅MRI均未见异常。结论:儿童CP术后可出现多种内分泌激素异常,GH替代治疗可明显改善患儿身高,治疗期间未见原肿瘤复发及继发肿瘤发生。     

Endocrinological outcome of different treatment options in children with craniopharyngioma: a retrospective analysis of 66 cases

Craniopharyngioma is one of the leading causes of hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction in childhood, caused either by the tumor itself or the consequences of treatment. Tumor management in terms of recurrence rate, quality of life and complications is still controversial. Sixty-six patients with craniopharyngioma at pediatric age were reviewed for symptoms, signs, types of treatment, recurrence rates, complications, and endocrinological outcome. The majority of symptoms was related to the neurological system. Complaints only affecting the endocrinological system were seen in 6% of patients. The most frequent complaints were headache and vomiting (74.2%). The main endocrinological complaints were polyuria and polydipsia (15%), and lassitude (10.6%). Although short stature was a symptom in 9.1% of patients, it was a finding in 39.7% of patients. Plain skull X-rays raised the suspicion of intracranial tumor in more than 90% of children with craniopharyngioma. Recurrence rates were independent of the extent of tumor removal (total or subtotal). The frequency of endocrine dysfunction increased significantly after treatment. The most frequent hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction was growth hormone deficiency (100%) and gonadotropin deficiency (80%). Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 74% of patients. The frequency of hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction was not affected by the extent of tumor removal. Radiotherapy did not increase the frequency of endocrine dysfunctions further. In conclusion, growth follow-up in childhood seems to be an important indicator of craniopharyngioma in early diagnosis. Radiotherapy and extent of tumor removal - either total or subtotal - did not influence endocrine outcome.     

Craniopharyngioma in children. Endocrine evaluation and treatment. Apropos of 37 cases

Endocrine function was studied in 37 children treated for craniopharyngioma by total (22 cases) or partial (12 cases) excision and complementary or isolated irradiation (9 cases). Height deficiency was the only revealing sign in only 20% of cases. Skull X-rays showed patent abnormalities at the first examination in 36 of 37 cases. Analysis of 24 children before and after surgery helps defining the part played by surgery in endocrine deficiencies: the frequency of thyroid and GH deficiencies is poorly changed after surgery as they are most often already present before surgery. On the other hand, the frequency of corticotropin and antidiuretic deficiencies is highly increased after surgery. Gonadotropic deficiency is almost constant after surgery. The final height is greater than 2 SD in 9 of the 14 patients whose growth is completed.     

Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis integrity after cranial irradiation for childhood posterior fossa tumours

BACKGROUND: The evolution of anterior pituitary deficits after treatment for pituitary tumours has been largely attributed to local irradiation, but may be influenced as much by tumour mass or surgery. Other than growth hormone (GH) insufficiency, the late endocrinopathies after survival from non-central brain tumours have been little documented. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in long-term survivors of cranial irradiation for childhood posterior fossa tumours. PROCEDURE: We studied long-term data in patients treated prepubertally for posterior fossa brain tumours and systematically referred by radiation oncologists for growth and pubertal monitoring to the London Centre for Paediatric Endocrinology over the last 25 years. They must have undergone HPA axis assessment twice, first prepubertally at documentation of growth failure, and second at completion of growth and puberty. Data on sixteen patients (12 males, 4 females; median age: 5.7 years, range: 2.5-8.8 years), who had undergone excision surgery with high dose cranial irradiation and/or chemotherapy for childhood posterior fossa tumours, were examined. Patients were followed for a median of 11.0 (range: 6.8-21.4) years after radiotherapy. HPA axis assessment was undertaken with the insulin-induced hypoglycaemia test (ITT). Basal thyroid, cortisol and gonadal function tests were undertaken annually throughout the follow-up period and any deficits replaced. RESULTS: At each ITT, all patients mounted an inadequate GH response. By the end of the follow-up period all patients remained severely GH deficient, two (12.5%) had partial ACTH insufficiency, one (6.3%) had secondary hypothyroidism but none were gonadotropin deficient or hyperprolactinaemic. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the severe, evolving multiple pituitary deficits after treatment of pituitary or central tumours in adults, these findings in children with posterior fossa tumours suggest that, with the exception of GH, neurotoxicity due to irradiation per se is associated with a low prevalence of anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies, even at a long follow-up. Since the children in this study were selected for assessment on the basis of growth failure, the high prevalence of GH insufficiency at first testing is to be expected; however, the early onset (within 1-3 years of irradiation) and permanence we have identified supports the view that GH is the most sensitive hormone to radiation injury.     

ACTH deficiency in childhood cancer survivors

BACKGROUND: Adrenocorticotropin deficiency (ACTHD) can be clinically subtle, but life-threatening if not recognized. We assessed the prevalence of ACTHD in survivors of childhood cancer according to tumor diagnosis/therapy. PROCEDURE: Chart review of endocrine/oncology history was performed in 310 childhood cancer survivors. Patients were referred to endocrine clinic because of slow growth, fatigue, or abnormal pubertal timing. Evaluation of growth hormone (GH), thyrotropin (TSH), ACTH, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was performed. Low response to metyrapone and/or low dose ACTH test defined ACTHD. RESULTS: ACTHD was identified in 56 (18%), [44 of 182 (24%) central nervous system (CNS) tumors, 3 of 18 (17%) non-CNS cranial tumors, 9 of 97 (9%) hematologic malignancies]. Of the 56 with ACTHD, 53 (95%) had received cranial irradiation (mean 45.5 Gy, range 14-70 Gy); three had not: one each with craniopharyngioma, hypothalamic astrocytoma, and brain stem glioma. All but one also had GH deficiency and/or central hypothyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood cancer survivors with greatest risk for ACTHD had craniopharyngioma, other suprasellar tumor, or medulloblastoma or > or =24 Gy cranial irradiation. We recommend annual testing for ACTHD for 10-15 years and continued lifelong surveillance after CNS tumor or cranial irradiation, in patients with other hypothalamic-pituitary deficiencies or symptoms of ACTHD.     

Children with Craniopharyngioma

ABSTRACT. Pre- and postoperative growth was analyzed in 22 children with craniopharyngioma. In 19 children a growth failure preceded the diagnosis by a mean of 4 years. Six children were obese preoperatively. During the first 3 postoperative months relative weight increased 7gt;10% in 14/21 children (there was one surgical death). One year after surgery 13/21 were obese. Neither the size of the tumor nor the mode of surgery was decisive in the development of the obesity. Serum insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were assessed in four children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) who, after surgery for craniopharyngioma, were growing normally without GH substitution. One of them was normal in weight and had normal insulin and IGF-I levels; the others were obese and had supranormal insulin and subnormal IGF-I levels. One of the four and two other children with unsubstituted GHD reached final height SDS -0.8, -2.0 and -2.4. One child with normal postoperative GH response reached final height SDS -0.7. Final height SDS ≧-2.5 was gained with GH substitution by 6/11 children. It was >2.0 SD below the height SDS expected from the heights of the parents in 7/11. An adequate monitoring of children's growth would lead to earlier diagnosis and probably better outcome.     

Children with craniopharyngioma. Early growth failure and rapid postoperative weight gain

Pre- and postoperative growth was analyzed in 22 children with craniopharyngioma. In 19 children a growth failure preceded the diagnosis by a mean of 4 years. Six children were obese preoperatively. During the first 3 postoperative months relative weight increased greater than 10% in 14/21 children (there was one surgical death). One year after surgery 13/21 were obese. Neither the size of the tumor nor the mode of surgery was decisive in the development of the obesity. Serum insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were assessed in four children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) who, after surgery for craniopharyngioma, were growing normally without GH substitution. One of them was normal in weight and had normal insulin and IGF-I levels; the others were obese and had supranormal insulin and subnormal IGF-I levels. One of the four and two other children with unsubstituted GHD reached final height SDS -0.8, -2.0 and -2.4. One child with normal postoperative GH response reached final height SDS -0.7. Final height SDS greater than or equal to -2.5 was gained with GH substitution by 6/11 children. It was greater than 2.0 SD below the height SDS expected from the heights of the parents in 7/11. An adequate monitoring of children's growth would lead to earlier diagnosis and probably better outcome.     

重组人生长激素治疗颅咽管瘤术后生长激素缺乏症

目的探讨低剂量基因重组人生长激素(rhGH)治疗颅咽管瘤术后生长激素缺乏症(GHD)患儿的疗效和安全性。方法回顾性分析2008年4月-2011年4月在北京三博脑科医院内分泌门诊治疗的12例7～15岁术后病理确诊为颅咽管瘤且继发生长迟滞患儿的病例资料及随访资料。患儿均给予rhGH治疗(每晚睡前皮下注射0.1 IU.kg-1,每周5次注射),疗程3～36个月。定期检测肝功能、肾功能、激素水平等指标,并比较患儿治疗前后身高、体质量、生长速度、身高标准差计数、胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-1)、骨龄等生长指标的改变。结果在rhGH治疗期间,12例患儿在治疗第1年生长速率增加显著,由(2.2±1.3)cm.a-1增加到(6.63±4.97)cm.a-1(P<0.01),身高标准差计数由治疗前-3.3±2.3增加到-3.2±2.8,血IGF-1治疗前为(38±64)μg.L-1,治疗后为(173±167)μg.L-1(患儿治疗后血清IGF-1水平达到正常范围),差异均有统计学意义(Pa<0.01)。治疗期间,患儿肝肾功能等均保持在正常值范围,骨龄无明显变化,随访时尚无患儿肿瘤复发。结论低剂量rhGH治疗儿童颅咽管瘤术后继发GHD是经济、有效的,在充分评估及严密监控下开展GH替代治疗是安全的。     

Clinico-radiological correlation in childhood hypopituitarism

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 thirtyone 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.     

Effect of growth hormone treatment in children with craniopharyngioma with reference to the KIGS (Kabi International Growth Study) database

In children with craniopharyngioma, poor growth commonly precedes diagnosis, but is observed less frequently than neurological or visual symptoms. A deficiency of growth hormone (GH) is common before, and almost universal after, treatment of the tumour, and is usually treated with GH. However, a minority of these children with GH deficiency (GHD) grow well without GH replacement therapy but exhibit other metabolic effects of GHD that are correctable by GH treatment. This article provides a review of studies in 422 children with craniopharyngioma whose details have been entered into the database of KIGS, the Kabi International Growth Study. The response to GH during the first year of therapy was similar to that seen in children with idiopathic GHD (IGHD). Leg length was relatively greater than sitting height and this disproportion was maintained during treatment. Adiposity increased in some children receiving GH treatment. At the end of GH treatment in 82 patients, there was a median gain in height SD score of 1.51, with evidence of residual growth potential still remaining in the majority. Tumour recurrence occurred in 13.5% of the total group of patients with craniopharyngioma within KIGS, at a median of 3.9 years from diagnosis and 2.3 years from the start of GH therapy. Tumour recurrence was not associated with an impairment in height achieved, but there was a tendency towards greater adiposity in patients in whom recurrence occurred. Adverse events during GH treatment were more frequent in children with craniopharyngioma than in those with IGHD, and headache was commonly reported. The results of these studies suggest that GH treatment is recommended for the treatment of children with craniopharyngioma on the grounds of improved growth velocity, adult height and other GH-dependent metabolic functions, and of the good safety profile of GH in these patients.     

手术治疗31例小儿颅咽管瘤临床分析

目的：为了提高对儿童颅咽管瘤的诊断率以及减少术后并发症的发生,该研究探讨小儿颅咽管瘤的诊断方法、手术方式及术后并发症的防治。方法：回顾性分析31例小儿颅咽管瘤的临床表现、手术方法和术后并发症治疗的经验。结果：31例患儿主要临床表现为：头痛,视力下降,生长发育迟缓等。CT和MRI可确诊颅咽管瘤。31例颅咽管瘤中,肿瘤全切除 19例（61.3%）,次全切除5例（16.1%）,大部分切除7例（22.6%）。术后出现尿崩症者19例（61.3%）,3例为长期性尿崩。6例（19.4 %）出现下丘脑损伤症状。无死亡病例。随访32.5个月, 5例（16.1%）患儿复发。结论：小儿颅咽管瘤的诊断主要依据临床表现、CT和MRI检查,该病以开颅手术治疗为首选。肿瘤切除的程度应考虑降低肿瘤的复发和减少并发症的发生为原则。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（8）：663-665］     

A rare case of ectopic recurrence of a craniopharyngioma diagnosed 17 years after initial presentation

Ectopic recurrence of craniopharyngioma 17 years after initial diagnosis is exceedingly rare in pediatric neuro-oncology. Only 23 cases of ectopic recurrence in children with craniopharyngioma are described in the literature with a median time to recurrence of 3 years. We describe a patient diagnosed at 5 years of age, presenting with neck pain and ataxia 17 years after diagnosis. Her original follow-up care was fragmented and included surveillance imaging for 10 years after surgery and endocrine management of panhypopituitarism. Rare, extremely late relapse of this tumor highlights the importance of extended multidisciplinary follow-up care that includes neuro-oncologists in a late-effects/survivorship program.     

Longitudinal anthropometric measurements in patients with growth hormone deficiency. Effect of human growth hormone treatment

The effect of human growth hormone (6IU/m² twice weekly i.m.) on standing, sitting, and subischial leg height, on arm length, head circumference, fronto-occipital and biparietal head diameter, bi-iliac (pelvis) and bihumeral (shoulder) width, body weight, triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness, and upper arm and calf circumferences was studied longitudinally over a period of 2 years in 37 prepubertal growth hormone deficient patients (29 boys, 8 girls). Thirteen of them had isolated growth hormone deficiency, 18 combined defects with other anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies, and 6 had been operated for a craniopharyngioma.The most retarded height and length measurements were influenced most markedly by treatment in the fashion of a characteristic catch-up growth, while head circumference, which was less retarded initially, increased more slowly. With exception of craniopharyngioma patients, who became slightly eunuchoid, body proportions (sitting height versus subischial leg height) were not changed by treatment. The disproportions of shoulder and hip width (relatively wide pelvis, narrow shoulders before treatment) tended to be normalized. The results in patients with operated craniopharyngioma were not as good as in those with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.Supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (Grant No. 3.901.077)     

GROWTH AND ENDOCRINE FUNCTION FOLLOWING BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION FOR THALASSEMIA MAJOR

Thalassemia major (TM) patients frequently suffer from growth delay and endocrine dysfunction. Thirty-two TM patients who had survived more than 2 years after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were recruited for growth and endocrine study. Patients were followed up annually for growth, and the height was expressed as height standard deviation score (HtSDS). The HtSDS at baseline was –1.51 and was more reduced in patients older than 7 years (?1.99) as compared with those younger patients (–0.79) (=. 027). The HtSDS gradually improved after BMT and increased by 0.59 (CI 0.16–1.01) at 5 years after BMT. Forty percent of patients were below 2 SD at time of BMT but this decreased to 15% at the latest assessment. The hormonal profiles of gonadotrophins, sex hormones, and thyroid function were assayed regularly after BMT. With a median follow-up of 67 months, ovarian failure was universal among the 10 girls evaluable for puberty and all required hormonal replacement. Eight of 10 boys had spontaneous puberty but 3 of them had gonadal impairment. One patient developed diabetes mellitus and one had growth hormone deficiency after BMT. In conclusion, improvement of growth after BMT in TM was common. Gonadal failure is universal in girls, and boys were less affected.     

Growth and endocrine function following bone marrow transplantation for thalassemia major

Thalassemia major (TM) patients frequently suffer from growth delay and endocrine dysfunction. Thirty-two TM patients who had survived more than 2 years after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were recruited for growth and endocrine study. Patients were followed up annually for growth, and the height was expressed as height standard deviation score (HtSDS). The HtSDS at baseline was -1.51 and was more reduced in patients older than 7 years (-1.99) as compared with those younger patients (-0.79) (= .027). The HtSDS gradually improved after BMT and increased by 0.59 (CI 0.16-1.01) at 5 years after BMT. Forty percent of patients were below 2 SD at time of BMT but this decreased to 15% at the latest assessment. The hormonal profiles of gonadotrophins, sex hormones, and thyroid function were assayed regularly after BMT. With a median follow-up of 67 months, ovarian failure was universal among the 10 girls evaluable for puberty and all required hormonal replacement. Eight of 10 boys had spontaneous puberty but 3 of them had gonadal impairment. One patient developed diabetes mellitus and one had growth hormone deficiency after BMT. In conclusion, improvement of growth after BMT in TM was common. Gonadal failure is universal in girls, and boys were less affected.     

Pituitary function in paediatric survivors of severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI)-mediated hypopituitarism is an increasingly recognised problem. Paediatric survivors of TBI may be vulnerable to the possible effects of pituitary deficits as pituitary hormones control normal growth and development. Research concerning pituitary dysfunction following childhood TBI is limited. AIM: To identify pituitary dysfunction in paediatric survivors of severe TBI. METHODS: Of 1020 children who sustained a TBI and were admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia over 10 years, 117 were identified as survivors of severe TBI. 54 patients (31 males) were enrolled and administered questionnaires regarding quality of life and possible endocrine dysfunction. Where indicated, hormone testing was performed. RESULTS: 29 of the 54 patients underwent hormonal investigations, while 21 who had satisfactory questionnaires did not (four patients had already been diagnosed with pituitary deficiencies). In those 29 patients, TBI occurred at ages ranging from 0.25 to 16.80 years (median 9.7 years). Time from TBI to study ranged from 0.9 to 8.5 years (median 4.5 years). Of the 54 patients, nine had pituitary dysfunction, of whom four had multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies. CONCLUSIONS: Our study that confirms that paediatric survivors of severe TBI may develop pituitary dysfunction. Pituitary function should therefore be determined in these patients.     

Hypopituitarism and neurodevelopmental abnormalities in relation to central nervous system structural defects in children with optic nerve hypoplasia

OBJECTIVE: Optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) is a heterogeneous disease with variable findings of pituitary insufficiency, CNS and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. We characterized the spectrum of endocrinopathy in a cohort of children with ONH and attempted to correlate the presence of different midline CNS findings with the degree of hypopituitarism. The correlation of variable CNS abnormalities with the presence of a seizure disorder and neurodevelopmental delay was also examined. METHODS: Charts of 56 patients with ONH referred to our endocrine clinics between 1990 and 2000 were reviewed. Neurodevelopmental assessment was based on questionnaires sent to families during the study period. RESULTS: Forty-six patients (82%) had hypopituitarism, with growth hormone deficiency being the most common endocrinopathy. All patients with diabetes insipidus, hypocortisolism, and hypogonadotropin hypogonadism also had combined pituitary hormone deficiency. Evolving pituitary hormone deficiency was observed in two of 37 patients diagnosed with hypopituitarism in the first 3 years of life. No single midline CNS finding correlated with the presence of hypopituitarism or a seizure disorder. However, hydrocephalus or a seizure disorder was more commonly seen in patients with developmental delay. CONCLUSION: ONH is a heterogeneous disorder with possible multifactorial etiologies. All patients with this diagnosis deserve a comprehensive endocrine and neurodevelopmental evaluation.