Vasopressin and gonadotropin deficiency in a boy with the ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome

A boy presented with ectrodactyly (lobster claw deformity), bilateral cleft lip and palate, semilobar holoprosencephaly and microcephaly, associated with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and central diabetes insipidus. Other aspects of pituitary function were normal. We suggest that the ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome can be associated with a variety of hypothalamo-pituitary dysfunctions, in addition to the already described isolated growth hormone deficiency.     

Septo-optic dysplasia and growth hormone deficiency. De Morsier-syndrome (author's transl)

In a 4 1/2 year old blind boy with cryptorchidism and severe growth retardation a deficiency of growth hormone was verified. He has the symptoms of septo-optic dysplasia, an inborn malformation of the brain with hypoplasia of the optic nerves and tractus opticus, absent septum pellucidum and variable pituitary hormone deficiencies. Treatment with growth hormone was successful. In children with growth hormone deficiency the syndrome seems to be not infrequent.     

Hypothalamic-pituitary function in children with optic nerve hypoplasia

We studied the clinical characteristics and hypothalamic-pituitary function in 23 patients with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), 6 months to 19 years old. All patients had decreased visual acuity and small optic discs; the septum pellucidum was absent in five of 19. Nine of 11 patients had minor EEG abnormalities, and two had microcephaly. The height, weight, and growth rate were normal in all patients 6 months to 3 1/2 years old. Hypopituitarism was found in 15 patients. Fasting and stimulated prolactin levels and the area under the prolactin curve after thyrotropin releasing hormone were significantly greater than in controls and in patients with idiopathic hypopituitarism. These results associate ONH with a high incidence of hypopituitarism, hyperprolactinemia, and neurologic abnormalities. The normal growth in the absence of measurable growth hormone suggests that hyperprolactinemia may stimulate growth temporarily and that a normal height in childhood or the presence of the septum pellucidum do not exclude the possibility of hypopituitarism.     

Endocrinopathies associated with midline cerebral and cranial malformations

We systematically reviewed a series of patients (n = 85) with midline cerebral and cranial malformations to correlate the endocrinopathy with the neuroanatomic defect. Midline cleft lip and palate was associated not only with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) but also with diabetes insipidus (DI); holoprosencephaly and optic nerve hypoplasia with absence of the septum pellucidum had a similar incidence of GHD and DI. Optic nerve hypoplasia with absence of the septum pellucidum had the highest incidence of multiple pituitary endocrinopathies and of neonatal hypoglycaemia. Unilateral, although more commonly bilateral, optic nerve hypoplasia was associated with GHD.     

Pituitary dysfunction, morbidity and mortality with congenital midline malformation of the cerebrum

The purpose of this study was to review systematically a series of patients with congenital midline brain defects and pituitary dysfunction in early childhood and to quantitate the degree of dysfunction and clinical outcome. This study was a retrospective analysis of case notes of patients with pituitary dysfunction associated with either a midline cerebral anomaly and/or optic nerve hypoplasia. Forty patients were studied: 2 with semilobar holoprosencephaly, 2 with lobar holoprosencephaly, 18 with septo-optic dysplasia with an intact septum pellucidum, 7 with septo-optic dysplasia with an absent septum pellucidum, 7 with agenesis of the corpus callosum and 4 patients with isolated pituitary hypoplasia. An early age of diagnosis, feeding difficulties, neurodevelopmental disability, visual impairment and seizures were common occurrences. Despite disordered neuro-anatomy, most seizure disorders were caused by hypoglycaemia or hypernatraemia. Hypotensive/hypoglycaemic crises accounted for two out of three deaths within the study population. Most of patients had multiple pituitary hormone deficiency with growth hormone and Adreo corticotrophic hormone deficiency occurring most commonly. Unequivocal isolated hypothalamic dysfunction was an uncommon finding. In congenital midline brain malformation there is a spectrum of disordered neuro-anatomy associated with variable pituitary dysfunction. Clinical manifestations such as convulsions and developmental delay may be due to disordered metabolism and/or neuro-anatomy. Conclusion Children with congenital midline brain defects frequently manifest convulsions, neurodevelopmental disability and poor growth due to disordered metabolism and/or neuro-anatomy. Treating clinicians must be aware of the complex, dynamic neurological and metabolic nature of these patients and their potential for early demise. Received: 9 February 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 29 July 1998     

Septo-Optic Dysplasia Presenting in Early Infancy

A case of septo-optic dysplasia (optic nerve hypoplasia and hypopituitarism with or without agenesis of the septum pellucidum) is described. The patient presented with diabetes insipidus in the neonatal period and was found to have associated deficiencies of adrenocortico-trophic hormone and growth hormone and optic nerve hypoplasia. The case illustrates the clinical features of this rare condition and some of the difficulties which may occur in managing diabetes insipidus in very young and ill infants. The most important clue to the diagnosis is the recognition of the optic nerve hypoplasia.     

Optic nerve size evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging in children with optic nerve hypoplasia, multiple pituitary hormone deficiency, isolated growth hormone deficiency, and idiopathic short stature

OBJECTIVE: To objectively define criteria for intracranial optic nerve (ON) size in ON hypoplasia (ONH) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. STUDY DESIGN: Intracranial ON sizes from MRI were compared between 46 children with ONH diagnosed by ophthalmoscopy (group 1, isolated ONH, 8 children; and group 2, ONH associated with abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and septum pellucidum, 38 children) and children with multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (group 3, multiple pituitary hormone deficiency, 14 children), isolated growth hormone deficiency (group 4, isolated growth hormone deficiency, 15 children), and idiopathic short stature (group 5, idiopathic short stature, 10 children). Intracranial ON size was determined by the cross-sectional area, calculated as [pi x (1/2) height x (1/2) width]. RESULTS: Groups 1 and 2 had lower intracranial ON size than did groups 3, 4, and 5 (P < .001). No patients in groups 3 through 5 who had MRI after 12 months of age (when 95% adult size of ONs is attained) had ONs <2.9 mm 2 . Visual acuity correlated significantly with ON size (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging of the ONs with cross-sectional area <2.9 mm 2 in a short child more than 12 months of age, with or without hypothalamic-pituitary axis abnormalities, confirms the clinical diagnosis of ONH.     

Long-term hormone replacement therapy in two patients with Kabuki syndrome and growth hormone deficiency

The Kabuki syndrome is characterized by mental retardation (mild-to-moderate), skeletal anomalies, typical facial appearance and post-natal growth deficiency. The authors describe two patients with Kabuki syndrome and proven growth hormone deficiency. The first patient has been on GH replacement therapy for 4 years; the second for 11 years. On the basis of a sufficiently long follow-up period the Authors discuss the advisability of replacement therapy with growth hormone in patients with Kabuki syndrome.     

Growth hormone deficiency in patients with 22q11.2 deletion: expanding the phenotype

The list of findings associated with the 22q11.2 deletion is quite long and varies from patient to patient. The hallmark features include: conoruncal cardiac anomalies, palatal defects, thymic aplasia or hypoplasia, T cell abnormalities, mild facial dysmorphia, and learning disabilities. The 22q11.2 deletion has been seen in association with the DiGeorge sequence, velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), conotruncal anomaly face syndrome, isolated conotruncal cardiac anomalies, and some cases of autosomal dominant Optiz G/BBB syndrome. Short stature has been seen in one to two thirds of children reported in the literature with a diagnosis of VCFS, but growth hormone deficiency (GHD) has not been described in conjunction with this diagnosis. We present 4 patients with a 22q11.2 deletion and short stature who were found to have abnormalities in the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I axis. All had growth factors less than -2 SD for age and failed provocative growth hormone testing. Two patients were found to have abnormal pituitary anatomy. In our population, the incidence of GHD in 4 or 95 children with 22q11 deletion is significantly greater than the estimated incidence of GHD in the general population. Children with a 22q11.2 deletion appear to be at a greater risk for pituitary abnormalities. Therefore, those children with the 22q11.2 deletion and short stature or poor growth should be evaluated for GHD, as replacement growth hormone therapy may improve their growth velocity and final height prediction.     

Remission of congenital diabetes insipidus after eight years

Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) (De Morsier's syndrome) is a complex developmental disorder marked by variable and often incomplete formation of cranial midline structures, resulting in absence of the septum pellucidum, optic nerve hypoplasia, and hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. We describe a patient with SOD who manifested symptoms in the early neonatal period with severe deficiencies of multiple pituitary hormones including anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). Her congenital diabetic insipidus (DI), consequence of an anatomic defect, can be argued to be of the most severe type. Our patient resolved her severe DI 8 years after her initial presentation, suddenly requiring no further medical treatment for DI following longstanding pharmacological replacement of ADH. This is the first report of a patient with SOD with spontaneous resolution of congenital DI.     

The endocrine spectrum of intracranial cysts in childhood and review of the literature

Intracranial cysts (ICC) may cause a wide spectrum of endocrinological disorders. We evaluated 27 patients who were diagnosed with ICC during investigation for neuroendocrine dysfunctions and reviewed the relevant literature. The types of ICC in the patients were arachnoid cysts (n = 13); Rathke cleft cysts (n = 7); pineal cysts (n = 5); an ependymal cyst (n = 1) and a cavum septum pellucidum cyst (n = 1). The neuroendocrine dysfunctions of the patients were obesity (n = 7), isolated growth hormone deficiency (n = 6), central precocious puberty (n = 6), multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (n = 3), central diabetes insipidus (n = 1), growth hormone deficiency and central precocious puberty (n = 1), obesity and galactorrhea (n = 1), obesity and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (n = 1) and growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction (n = 1). Only three patients, who had arachnoid cysts, showed neurologic symptomatology. Although three patients underwent surgery, no improvements in endocrinological dysfunctions were observed. ICC should be considered when evaluating patients with endocrinological problems and patients with coincidental ICC should be recommended for follow-up.     

Abscess of the cavum septum pellucidum

A 14-year-old girl presented with symptoms and signs of left otomastoiditis and meningitis. CT and MRI revealed a largely expanded cavum septum pellucidum with enhancing walls and findings suggesting left otomastoiditis and meningitis. At surgery, an abscess was found within the cavum septum pellucidum. Five similar cases have been reported in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first case associated with otomastoiditis. Although rare, abscess of the cavum septum pellucidum should be suspected in patients with meningitis and/or head trauma and delayed clinical deterioration.     

The split notochord syndrome with dorsal enteric fistula

The authors describe a new case of the split notochord syndrome (SNS) with dorsal enteric fistula in an eight-month-old-boy. The child had also central nervous system anomalies including dysgenetic corpus callosum, absence of septum pellucidum, triventricular hydrocephalus, small posterior fossa, and lipomyelomeningocele, gastrointestinal system anomalies such as malrotation, wandering spleen, and right inguinal hernia. The clinical features, embryogenesis, and literature were reviewed briefly.     

Russell-Silver syndrome and hypopituitarism. Patient report and literature review

Russell-Silver syndrome (RSS) is a sporadic form of prenatal onset dwarfism with typical facial features, variable asymmetry, and linear growth 3 to 4 SDs below the mean. Endocrinologic studies are usually normal; however, six cases of RSS with growth hormone deficiency have been reported, three of which had additional pituitary abnormalities. We describe another case, a 7-year-old girl with RSS and deficiencies of growth hormone, corticotropin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Replacement therapy including growth hormone resulted in an improved growth velocity, though twice the usual dose of growth hormone was required and short stature persisted. Since growth hormone secretion is usually normal in RSS, the existence of individuals with RSS phenotype and hypopituitarism including growth hormone deficiency suggests etiologic heterogeneity. We recommend that those individuals with RSS phenotype and a continuous significant decline in height velocity be investigated for pituitary abnormalities. Unusually high replacement doses of growth hormone may be required to overcome deficiency.     

Rhombencephalosynapsis diagnosed in childhood: clinical and MRI findings.

Rhombencephalosynapsis (RES) is a rare cerebellar malformation of unknown etiology characterized by vermal agenesis or hypogenesis, fusion of hemispheres and the dentate nuclei. Clinical presentation and prognosis are extremely variable and generally depends one the associated supratentorial anomalies. We report the first Tunisian case of RES diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a 3.5-year-old boy born to consanguineous parents. The child had spastic diplegia, facial dysmorphia, skeletal anomalies and normal intellectual development. Additional supratentorial anomalies were agenesis of septum pellucidum, moderate hydrocephalus and hypogenesis of corpus callosum. In this paper, the clinical and MRI findings and possible pathogenesis of this disorder are discussed.     

Endocrine disorders in septo-optic dysplasia (De Morsier syndrome) — evaluation and follow up of 18 patients

Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is characterized by hypoplasia of the optic nerve, various types of forebrain defects and hormonal deficiencies. We have studied the clinical and endocrinological characteristics of 18 such patients retrospectively to: (1) better define the endocrine abnormalities in children with SOD; and (2) to find approaches for the interdisciplinary long-term care of children with SOD. The children were seen at the Children's Hospital of the University of Munich from 1976 to 1992 (8 boys, 10 girls; age at initial presentation: 1 day–13 years of age, mean 1.9 years). Unilateral hypoplasia of the optic nerve was found in 7 cases, bilateral hypoplasia in 11. Sonographic, CCT or MRI yielded the following results: 4 of the patients had a cavum septum pellucidum, 3 patients had hypoplasia of the cerebellum, 1 aplasia of the corpus callosum and 1 aplasia of the fornix. An empty sella with or without an ectopic pituitary was seen in 4 cases. Height standard deviation score (SDS) at time of diagnosis was –4.0 to +0.4, mean –2.92. Endocrine deficiencies were present in all 11 patients who had undergone endocrinological investigations. Seven patients suffered from isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency or multiple hypopituitarism. One had diabetes insipidus centralis, 2 had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, 1 had hypothyroidism and 2 adrenal insufficiency. Hypothalamic testing was performed only in a subset of patients: in 5 of 11 children tested a thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH test), in two out of nine a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) test, and in three out of six GH releasing hormone (GHRH) test yielded abnormal results. High prolactin levels were measured in two out of five patients.Conclusion SOD is characterized by optic nerve hypoplasia and a variety of endocrine deficiencies. In addition, forebrain malformations are present in most SOD patients. Hormonal disorders are present in some SOD patients which may be of hypothalamic origin and need to be investigated systematically.     

Two years of growth hormone treatment in the first growth hormone deficient patient with cerebrofaciothoracic dysplasia

We recently reported two siblings, a sister and a brother, with intrauterine growth retardation, microcephaly, short stature, mental retardation, facial dysmorphism and multiple costovertebral malformations. These features fit most with the diagnosis of cerebrofaciothoracic dysplasia, or Pascual-Castroviejo syndrome. The second sibling, our index patient, presented also with cleft palate and growth hormone (GH) deficiency, suggesting that endocrinological assessment should be performed in short patients with this syndrome, especially if midline defects are present. We present the results of 2 years GH treatment of this first GH deficient patient with cerebrofaciothoracic syndrome and compare the results to those observed in other genetic syndromes with GH deficiency.     

Hydrometrocolpos,postaxial polydactyly,congenital heart disease,and anomalies of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts: A rare autosomal recessive syndrome

Nine cases with the hydrometrocolpospolydactyly syndrome (4 males, 5 females) from four unrelated families are presented. Leading symptoms of this rare disorder were hydrocolpos and postaxial polydactyly. Three affected girls had urinary hydrocolpos without vaginal septum or imperforate hymen, one had partial vaginal atresia, and one had no hydrometrocolpos. Glandular hypospadias and prominent scrotal raphe are added to the spectrum of malformations in this disorder in males. The literature is reviewed and problems in genetic counseling in this autosomal recessive disorder are discussed.     

Ocular malformations and lissencephaly

Retinal dysplasia and agyria without cortical lamination are the constant findings in this autosomal recessive syndrome. There may also be anterior chamber malformations, cataract, and microphthalmos. Brain autopsies have shown a variety of associated malformations such as posterior encephalocele, Arnold-Chiari malformation, agenesis of the septum pellucidum and of the corpus callosum, agenesis of the vermis and hypoplasia of the cerebellum. Muscular dystrophy is probably present in most of these patients. Within the last few years, over 20 cases with a complete autopsy have been described. The syndrome should be differentiated from other syndromes with retinal non-attachment and retinal dysplasia, and from syndromes with hydrocephalus or encephalocele without these ocular features.     

Neuroradiological features of patients with optic nerve hypoplasia.

Optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) is associated with a wide range of neurological and endocrine disorders. A series of 21 patients is reported. This comprised 17 with ONH in association with manifest neurological and endocrine disturbance, 3 who were blind but who were otherwise normal, and 1 with bilateral impaired visual acuity only. All patients underwent neuroradiological and detailed ophthalmic assessment. A wide range of abnormalities was observed. The most common findings were absent septum pellucidum, hydrocephaly, and porencephaly. Evidence of hypothalamic/pituitary hormone deficiency was present in nine patients, six of whom had demonstrable intracranial radiological abnormalities. All patients except one had bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia. Most patients had poor visual acuities and nystagmus. Astigmatism was also common. Two conditions which have not previously been reported in association with optic nerve hypoplasia were found: an intracranial arachnoid cyst and an intracranial epidermoid cyst.