BACKGROUND: To explore the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and multiple pituitary-target hormones in patients with panhypopituitarism or multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD). METHODS: 125 patients with MPHD (102 boys, MPHD group) and 90 age-, sex- and Tanner stage-matched normal children (control group) were enrolled. 96 of the patients with MPHD underwent MRI scans of the hypothalamic-pituitary area. The patients were subdivided into five stages according to their MRI findings. The serum concentrations of GH, IGF-1, FT(4), TSH, ACTH, cortisol, FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone and estradiol were measured in patients and in controls. RESULTS: MRI stage was significantly positively correlated with the number of pituitary hormone deficiencies (r = 0.9, p < 0.001). MRI stage was negatively correlated with peak GH, IGF-1, FT(4), cortisol and anterior pituitary height (r = -0.43, -0.47, -0.67, -0.54, and -0.49, respectively, p < 0.01). Diabetes insipidus patients could be stratified according to their MRI stage; diabetes insipidus was found mainly in patients with absence of the posterior pituitary bright spot or small ectopic posterior pituitary bright spot on MRI. CONCLUSION: An abnormal MRI finding is evidence of MPHD and, correspondingly, there is a noteworthy correlation between MRI and pituitary function. Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.
BACKGROUND: To explore the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and multiple pituitary-target hormones in patients with panhypopituitarism or multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD). METHODS: 125 patients with MPHD (102 boys, MPHD group) and 90 age-, sex- and Tanner stage-matched normal children (control group) were enrolled. 96 of the patients with MPHD underwent MRI scans of the hypothalamic-pituitary area. The patients were subdivided into five stages according to their MRI findings. The serum concentrations of GH, IGF-1, FT(4), TSH, ACTH, cortisol, FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone and estradiol were measured in patients and in controls. RESULTS: MRI stage was significantly positively correlated with the number of pituitary hormone deficiencies (r = 0.9, p < 0.001). MRI stage was negatively correlated with peak GH, IGF-1, FT(4), cortisol and anterior pituitary height (r = -0.43, -0.47, -0.67, -0.54, and -0.49, respectively, p < 0.01). Diabetes insipiduspatients could be stratified according to their MRI stage; diabetes insipidus was found mainly in patients with absence of the posterior pituitary bright spot or small ectopic posterior pituitary bright spot on MRI. CONCLUSION: An abnormal MRI finding is evidence of MPHD and, correspondingly, there is a noteworthy correlation between MRI and pituitary function. Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Authors: Alicia K Chang; Aviva B Sopher; Mary Pat Gallagher; Alexander G Khandji; Sharon E Oberfield Journal: Clin Pediatr (Phila) Date: 2011-02-21 Impact factor: 1.168