Giant pituitary tumors secreting growth hormone in children and adolescents - 11/10/14
Résumé |
Introduction |
Pituitary tumors secreting growth hormone (GH) are relatively rare in children and adolescents. Giant ones (maximal diameter≥4cm) are even rarer. We aimed to analyze their frequency and their complications in Algerian population.
Methods |
It is a retrospective and multicenter study over a long period of time (1980–2013) which aimed to collect giant pituitary tumors secreting GH in order to analyze their characteristics.
Results |
Among 31 well proved somatotroph adenomas observed in children and adolescents (≤20years old) or in older subjects with lack of pubertal development, we found 12 giant tumors=38.7%. Median age at diagnosis was 22.4years old (13–30). Eight on 12 suffered from gigantism (66.6%) other had acromegaly. Median tumor diameter=60.5mm (40–100). Median GH=570ng/mL (30–1430). All had moderate to severe visual troubles. Two or more pituitary deficits were observed in 4 cases=33.3%, hydrocephalus=8 cases (66.6%), frontal syndrome=3=25% and epilepsy n=1=8.3%.
Conclusion |
In our population giant tumors secreting GH are frequent and diagnosed late even in those with gigantism which explains the high frequency of severe and life threatening neurological complications.
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Vol 75 - N° 5-6
P. 317 - octobre 2014 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.