The role of birth injury and the consequences of inadequately treated hypogonadism in longstanding panhypopituitarism.

Abstract

We describe a middle-aged profoundly hypogonadal man with panhypopituitarism since infancy who was treated only with glucocorticoid and thyroid replacement. A magnetic resonance imaging study (MRI) revealed absence of pituitary stalk and ectopic neurohypophysis consistent with traumatic transection, probably resulting from a traumatic birth. The hormonal consequences of this stalk lesion were recognized but inadequately treated for 45 years resulting in avoidable endocrine and psychosocial defects. Androgen replacement was started at age 45 with good initial results. The unique hormonal replacement issues at this age are discussed.

• Authors: M Wettstein, L F Diez, M Twohig, N N Abourizk
• Journal: Connecticut medicine (Conn Med) Vol. 60 Issue 10 Pg. 583-6 (Oct 1996) ISSN: 0010-6178 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8952130 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Testosterone

Topics

• Birth Injuries (complications, diagnosis)
• Humans
• Hypogonadism (drug therapy, etiology)
• Hypopituitarism (drug therapy, etiology)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pituitary Gland (injuries)
• Testosterone (therapeutic use)