Pulsatile gonadotropin releasing hormone substitution following extirpation of suprasellar craniopharyngioma.

A craniopharyngioma growing suprasellarly attacks the medio-basal region of the hypothalamus, interrupting the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. In the case of a 15-year-old girl who underwent partial extirpation of craniopharyngioma, favorable endocrine effects were obtained by pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone administered in a dose of 20 micrograms every 90 min resulted in the achievement of a menstrual cycle and ovulation. Together with surgical treatment, hormonal substitution plays an important role in the treatment of endocrine symptoms.