MR of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
Year: 1992
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: PURPOSE: To describe the MR findings in the hypothalamic pituitary area in children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis and to define those MR alterations especially associated with the risk of developing diabetes insipidus. METHODS: The hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal axis was studied by sagittal and coronal 1.5 T1-weighted MR imaging in 14 children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (five with diabetes insipidus) and in 28 low-stature controls, ages 6-14 years. RESULTS: The pituitary stalk was thicker in seven/14 patients (three with diabetes insipidus) than in controls (P less than .05). Bright posterior pituitary signal was undetectable in children with diabetes insipidus and in one/9 without diabetes insipidus. CONCLUSIONS: Thickening of the hypothalamus and/or the pituitary stalk in the absence of the posterior pituitary bright signal is seen in children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis with overt diabetes insipidus. Those Langerhans cell histiocytosis patients without diabetes insipidus but showing thickened stalk with or without posterior pituitary bright signal could be at high risk to develop diabetes insipidus.
Source: PubMed Central
Authors: M Maghnie, M Aricò, A Villa, E Genovese, G Beluffi, F Severi
Institutions: University of Pavia, Policlinico San Matteo Fondazione
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2110691961