Endocrine and growth features in childhood craniopharyngioma: a mono-institutional study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate growth and endocrine features in children with craniopharyngioma who were treated and followed up by a single institution between 1976 and 2004.

METHODS

The records of 32 children, 18 males and 14 females, were evaluated. The mean follow-up period was 6.3 years.

RESULTS

At presentation, the most common symptoms were headache, nausea and vomiting, visual impairment, and neurological changes. Some patients presented signs or symptoms of isolated or combined endocrine disorder (five polyuria and polydipsia, five growth failure, two precocious puberty, eight obesity or overweight). After tumour treatment, multiple pituitary hormonal deficiencies, especially growth hormone (GH) deficit (GHD) were found and required hormonal replacement therapy. Eight children grew normally without GH despite GHD. Hypothalamic involvement was observed in ten patients; obesity was frequent and was often associated with hyperinsulinism and hyperphagia.

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior and posterior pituitary deficiencies following surgery are present in all patients. The growth pattern is heterogeneous.