[Pituitary stalk transection syndrome].

BACKGROUND

Pituitary stalk transection is a non-negligible cause of growth hormone (GH) deficiency.

POPULATION AND

METHODS

We studied 22 children (13 boys, nine girls) aged at the first clinical manifestations from 2 days to 10 years (average = 5.33 +/- 2 years). Pituitary stalk transection was assessed by the means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The children's past history showed fetal distress in 12 cases (54.5%), cranial trauma in three (13%) and a midline anomaly in three (13%). The first clinical manifestations were neonatal hypoglycemia (two cases), decreased growth velocity (18 cases) and diabetes insipidus (two cases).

RESULTS

GH deficiency was complete, present from the onset in 19 of 22 cases and isolated in four. Fifteen of 22 cases had adreno-corticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) deficiency. Diabetes insipidus was present in six cases and revealed the syndrome in two. All children older than normal age of puberty (n = 10) had gonadotropin deficiency. In our study, these hormonal anomalies progressed from isolated GH deficiency to multiple hormonal deficiencies.

CONCLUSION

The recently described stalk transection syndrome is relatively frequent and should be suspected after cranial trauma or fetal distress syndrome. The outcome is progressive evolution towards panhypopituitarism and these patients require regular clinical survey and hormonal controls.