Progression of a structural scoliosis during treatment with growth hormone. A case report.

A diagnosis of panhypopituitarism was made in an infantile male at the age of 22. Skeletal age was estimated to be 14 years. Thyroxin, corticosteroid and later testosterone was administered. Growth hormone was given initially over a period of ten weeks and later for two and a half years. The standing height increased from 143 to 158.5 cm. During periods of growth induced by growth hormone a progression of a thoracic scoliosis from 15 degrees to 62 degrees was observed. In this case growth hormone or the associated substances seem to be the more probable cause of the progression of scoliosis than growth rate per se.