Imaging paediatric endocrine disorders.

Disorders of growth and development, including delayed and precocious puberty may be idiopathic, constitutional or due to a disorder of one of several endocrine systems including the hypothalamic-pituitary system, the adrenal and the thyroid. Sonography is of great importance in the classification of precocious puberty in children. Skeletal maturation assessment is useful to evaluate the severity of the growth disorder and to monitor subsequent therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are essential in the study of the pituitary and central nervous system. MRI has special advantages in the imaging of the hypothalamic-pituitary region. The thyroid gland and its function are still best imaged with radionuclide scintigraphy. Sonography can play a complementary though less important role. Hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism and pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism although rare are more common in children than primary hyperparathyroidism. Valuable clues as to the presence of these conditions can be gained by examination of the plain radiographs. Confirmation of their diagnosis still rests with the biochemical and endocrine profile.