Pituitary hyperplasia associated with untreated primary hypothyroidism in children is a rare condition. There are only a few reports on this condition in children, and especially when pituitary hyperplasia is accompanied with Hashimoto thyroiditis and growth arrest. Here, we describe an unusual association of pituitary hyperplasia with hypothyroidism and growth retardation, and this was all caused by Hashimoto thyroiditis. Hormonal testing showed a low thyroxine level and a high thyroid stimulating hormone level, elevated anti-thyroglobulin, low growth hormone levels and prepubertal levels of gonadotropins. A large intrasellar mass expanding beyond the sella turcica was detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Homogeneous contrast enhancement of mass highly suggested that it was a pituitary hyperplasia rather than a pituitary tumor. Therapy with L-thyroxine resulted in rapid improvement of the clinical signs, including renewed growth, normalization of the hormone levels and resolution of the pituitary hyperplasia on MRI within 90 days. In children, prolonged unrecognized primary hypothyroidism might be accompanied by growth deficiency and pubertal disharmony. Physicians must be aware of pituitary hyperplasia in these cases.
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Pituitary macroadenoma secondary to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: inadvertent diagnosis in a pre-pubertal girl Deepanjan Bhattacharya, Rakesh Kumar, Jaivinder Yadav Tropical Doctor.2020; 50(3): 240. CrossRef
Pituitary Hyperplasia Secondary to Hypothyroidism Caused by Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in a Female Adolescent Jeoung Suk Kim, Min Sun Kim, Sun Jun Kim, Gyung Ho Chung, Pyoung Han Hwang, Dae-Yeol Lee Journal of Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology.2011; 16(3): 185. CrossRef
Primary hypothyroidism can result in reactive enlargement of the pituitary gland which is indistinguishable from primary pituitary lesions in clinical presentation and on magnetic resonance imaging. A 17-year-old girl came to the hospital due to short stature, general weakness and galac-torrhea. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study showed pitutary enlargement. The hormone study showed hyperprolactinemia, decreased basal growth hormone level and primary hypothyroi-dism. By thyroid replacement therapy only, mass was successfully regressed on follow up MRI after 4 months, and growth acceleration could be achieved.