Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Prevalence of brain MRI findings in children with nonacquired growth hormone deficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Paediatric Neuroradiology
  • Published:
Neuroradiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To verify and integrate the prevalence and phenotype of abnormalities in the sellar region in patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) using MRI data.

Methods

We searched PubMed and EMBASE up to December 14, 2020. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) pediatric patients diagnosed with nonacquired GHD and (2) detailed data sufficient to assess the proportion of sellar and parasellar abnormalities on brain MRI scans. Finally, thirty-two studies with 39,060 children (mean or median age, 3.4–14.1 years) were included. The number and type of MRI findings from all included studies were pooled by two authors. The heterogeneity across studies was evaluated with the Q test or the inconsistency index (I2) statistic. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the type of GHD (isolated GHD [IGHD] vs. multiple pituitary hormone deficiency [MPHD]), MRI magnet, geographical region, and cutoff serum growth hormone (GH) level.

Results

The pooled proportion of sellar and parasellar abnormalities was 58.0% (95% CI, 47.1–68.6%; I2, 98.2%). The MPHD group showed a higher proportion of sellar and parasellar abnormalities and pituitary stalk interruption syndrome than the IGHD group (91.4% vs. 40.1%, P<0.001; 65.3% vs. 20.1%, P<0.001). The patients in studies with low peak GH levels on stimulation tests were more associated with severe MR abnormalities (cutoff GH ≤ 5 μg/l vs. cutoff GH = 10 μg/l; 72.8 % vs. 38.0%; P<0.001).

Conclusion

The types and incidence of MRI abnormalities of the sellar region differ significantly between the IGHD and MPHD groups.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Not applicable

Code availability

Not applicable

Abbreviations

GH:

Growth hormone

GHD:

Growth hormone deficiency

CNS:

Central nervous system

IGHD:

Isolated growth hormone deficiency

MPHD:

Multiple pituitary hormone deficiency

IAPH:

Isolated anterior pituitary hypoplasia

EPP:

Isolated ectopic posterior pituitary

PSIS:

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome

References

  1. Lindsay R, Feldkamp M, Harris D, Robertson J, Rallison M (1994) Utah Growth Study: growth standards and the prevalence of growth hormone deficiency. J Pediatr 125(1):29–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3476(94)70117-2

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Fujisawa I, Kikuchi K, Nishimura K, Togashi K, Itoh K, Noma S, Minami S, Sagoh T, Hiraoka T, Momoi T et al (1987) Transection of the pituitary stalk: development of an ectopic posterior lobe assessed with MR imaging. Radiology 165(2):487–489. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.165.2.3659371

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Jagtap VS, Acharya SV, Sarathi V, Lila AR, Budyal SR, Kasaliwal R, Sankhe SS, Bandgar TR, Menon PS, Shah NS (2012) Ectopic posterior pituitary and stalk abnormality predicts severity and coexisting hormone deficiencies in patients with congenital growth hormone deficiency. Pituitary 15(2):243–250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-011-0321-4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Coutant R, Rouleau S, Despert F, Magontier N, Loisel D, Limal JM (2001) Growth and adult height in GH-treated children with nonacquired GH deficiency and idiopathic short stature: the influence of pituitary magnetic resonance imaging findings. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 86(10):4649–4654. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.86.10.7962

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Deal C, Hasselmann C, Pfäffle RW, Zimmermann AG, Quigley CA, Child CJ, Shavrikova EP, Cutler GB Jr, Blum WF (2013) Associations between pituitary imaging abnormalities and clinical and biochemical phenotypes in children with congenital growth hormone deficiency: data from an international observational study. Horm Res Paediatr 79(5):283–292. https://doi.org/10.1159/000350829

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Khadilkar VV, Prasad HK, Ekbote VH, Rustagi VT, Singh J, Chiplonkar SA, Khadilkar AV (2015) Response of Indian growth hormone deficient children to growth hormone therapy: association with pituitary size. Indian J Pediatr 82(5):404–409. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-014-1412-9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Abrahams JJ, Trefelner E, Boulware SD (1991) Idiopathic growth hormone deficiency: MR findings in 35 patients. Am J Neuroradiol 12(1):155–160

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Ariza Jiménez AB, Martínez Aedo Ollero MJ, López Siguero JP (2020) Differences between patients with isolated GH deficiency based on findings in brain magnetic resonance imaging. Endocrinol Diabetes Nutr 67(2):78–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.endinu.2019.09.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Bressani N, di Natale B, Pellini C, Triulzi F, Scotti G, Chiumello G (1990) Evidence of morphological and functional abnormalities in the hypothalamus of growth-hormone-deficient children: a combined magnetic resonance imaging and endocrine study. Horm Res 34(5-6):189–192. https://doi.org/10.1159/000181823

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Dutta P, Bhansali A, Singh P, Rajput R, Bhadada S (2010) Clinico-radiological correlation in childhood hypopituitarism. Indian Pediatr 47(7):615–618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-010-0135-x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Hamilton J, Blaser S, Daneman D (1998) MR imaging in idiopathic growth hormone deficiency. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 19(9):1609–1615

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Hanew K, Tachibana K, Yokoya S, Fujieda K, Tanaka T, Igarashi Y, Shimatsu A, Tanaka H, Tanizawa T, Teramoto A, Nishi Y, Hasegawa Y, Hizuka N, Hirano T, Fujita K (2006) Clinical characteristics, etiologies and pathophysiology of patients with severe short stature with severe GH deficiency: questionnaire study on the data registered with the foundation for growth science, Japan. Endocr J 53(2):259–265. https://doi.org/10.1507/endocrj.53.259

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Kalina MA, Kalina-Faska B, Gruszczyńska K, Baron J, Małecka-Tendera E (2012) Usefulness of magnetic resonance findings of the hypothalamic-pituitary region in the management of short children with growth hormone deficiency: evidence from a longitudinal study. Childs Nerv Syst 28(1):121–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-011-1594-7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kara Ö, Esen I, Tepe D, Gülleroğlu NB, Tayfun M (2018) Relevance of pituitary gland magnetic resonance imaging results with clinical and laboratory findings in growth hormone deficiency. Med Sci Monit 24:9473–9478. https://doi.org/10.12659/msm.911977

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Liotta A, Maggio C, Giuffrè M, Carta M, Manfrè L (1999) Sequential contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiencies. J Endocrinol Investig 22(10):740–746. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03343638

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Mészáros F, Vergesslich K, Riedl S, Häusler G, Frisch H (2000) Posterior pituitary ectopy in children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab : JPEM 13(6):629–635. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem.2000.13.6.629

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Nagel BH, Palmbach M, Petersen D, Ranke MB (1997) Magnetic resonance images of 91 children with different causes of short stature: pituitary size reflects growth hormone secretion. Eur J Pediatr 156(10):758–763. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310050707

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Secco A, di Iorgi N, Napoli F, Calandra E, Ghezzi M, Frassinetti C, Parodi S, Casini MR, Lorini R, Loche S, Maghnie M (2009) The glucagon test in the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in children with short stature younger than 6 years. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 94(11):4251–4257. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2009-0779

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Stawerska R, Lewiński A, Smyczyńska J, Hilczer M, Kowalska E, Kaniewska D, Karasek M (2007) Circadian pattern of prolactin secretion in children with growth hormone deficiency and congenital organic lesions in the hypothalamic-pituitary region. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 28(6):765–774

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Tsai SL, Laffan E, Lawrence S (2012) A retrospective review of pituitary MRI findings in children on growth hormone therapy. Pediatr Radiol 42(7):799–804. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-012-2349-7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Vannelli S, Avataneo T, Benso L, Potenzoni F, Cirillo S, Mostert M, Bona G (1993) Magnetic resonance and the diagnosis of short stature of hypothalamic-hypophyseal origin. Acta Paediatr (Oslo, Norway : 1992) 82(2):155–161. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.1993.tb12629.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Zimmermann A, Schenk JP, Grigorescu Sido P, Pfaffle R, Lazea C, Zimmermann T, Heinrich U, Weber MM, Bettendorf M (2007) MRI findings and genotype analysis in patients with childhood onset growth hormone deficiency--correlation with severity of hypopituitarism. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab : JPEM 20(5):587–596. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem.2007.20.5.587

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Marwaha R, Menon PS, Jena A, Pant C, Sethi AK, Sapra ML (1992) Hypothalamo-pituitary axis by magnetic resonance imaging in isolated growth hormone deficiency patients born by normal delivery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 74(3):654–659. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.74.3.1740501

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Maghnie M, Lindberg A, Koltowska-Häggström M, Ranke MB (2013) Magnetic resonance imaging of CNS in 15,043 children with GH deficiency in KIGS (Pfizer International Growth Database). Eur J Endocrinol 168(2):211–217. https://doi.org/10.1530/eje-12-0801

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG (2009) Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. BMJ 339:b2535. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2535

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Quigley CA, Ranke MB (2015) International Classification of Pediatric Endocrine Diagnoses (ICPED), ICPED Consortium. www.icped.org. Accessed September 6th 2020

  27. Nwosu BU, Lee MM (2008) Evaluation of short and tall stature in children. Am Fam Physician 78(5):597–604

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Simmons GE, Suchnicki JE, Rak KM, Damiano TR (1992) MR imaging of the pituitary stalk: size, shape, and enhancement pattern. AJR Am J Roentgenol 159(2):375–377. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.159.2.1632360

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Kim SY, Park JE, Lee YJ, Seo HJ, Sheen SS, Hahn S, Jang BH, Son HJ (2013) Testing a tool for assessing the risk of bias for nonrandomized studies showed moderate reliability and promising validity. J Clin Epidemiol 66(4):408–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2012.09.016

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Higgins JP, Thompson SG (2002) Quantifying heterogeneity in a meta-analysis. Stat Med 21(11):1539–1558. https://doi.org/10.1002/sim.1186

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. IntHout J, Ioannidis JP, Borm GF (2014) The Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random effects meta-analysis is straightforward and considerably outperforms the standard DerSimonian-Laird method. BMC Med Res Methodol 14:25. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-14-25

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Schwarzer G, Chemaitelly H, Abu-Raddad LJ, Rücker G (2019) Seriously misleading results using inverse of Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation in meta-analysis of single proportions. Res Synth Methods 10(3):476–483. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrsm.1348

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Borenstein M, Higgins JP (2013) Meta-analysis and subgroups. Prev Sci 14(2):134–143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-013-0377-7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Tillmann V, Tang VW, Price DA, Hughes DG, Wright NB, Clayton PE (2000) Magnetic resonance imaging of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab : JPEM 13(9):1577–1583. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem.2000.13.9.1577

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Begg CB, Mazumdar M (1994) Operating characteristics of a rank correlation test for publication bias. Biometrics 50(4):1088–1101

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Arends NJ, VdL W, Robben SG, Hokken-Koelega AC (2002) MRI findings of the pituitary gland in short children born small for gestational age (SGA) in comparison with growth hormone-deficient (GHD) children and children with normal stature. Clin Endocrinol 57(6):719–724. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2265.2002.01605.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Argyropoulou M, Perignon F, Brauner R, Brunelle F (1992) Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency. J Pediatr 120(6):886–891. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3476(05)81955-9

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Bordallo MA, Tellerman LD, Bosignoli R, Oliveira FF, Gazolla FM, Madeira IR, Zanier JF, Henriques JL (2004) Neuroradiological investigation in patients with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency. J Pediatr 80(3):223–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Kemp SF, Alter CA, Dana K, Baptista J, Blethen SL (2002) Use of magnetic resonance imaging in short stature: data from National Cooperative Growth Study (NCGS) Substudy 8. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab : JPEM 15(Suppl 2):675–679. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem.2002.15.s2.675

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Li G, Shao P, Sun X, Wang Q, Zhang L (2010) Magnetic resonance imaging and pituitary function in children with panhypopituitarism. Horm Res Paediatr 73(3):205–209. https://doi.org/10.1159/000284363

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Longui CA, Rocha AJ, Menezes DM, Leite FM, Calliari LE, Kochi C, Monte O (2004) Fast acquisition sagittal T1 magnetic resonance imaging (FAST1-MRI): a new imaging approach for the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab : JPEM 17(8):1111–1114. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem.2004.17.8.1111

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Maghnie M, Strigazzi C, Tinelli C, Autelli M, Cisternino M, Loche S, Severi F (1999) Growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) of childhood onset: reassessment of GH status and evaluation of the predictive criteria for permanent GHD in young adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 84(4):1324–1328. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.84.4.5614

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Naderi F, Eslami SR, Mirak SA, Khak M, Amiri J, Beyrami B, Shekarchi B, Poureisa M (2015) Effect of growth hormone deficiency on brain MRI findings among children with growth restrictions. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab : JPEM 28(1-2):117–123. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem-2013-0294

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Otto AP, França MM, Correa FA, Costalonga EF, Leite CC, Mendonca BB, Arnhold IJ, Carvalho LR, Jorge AA (2015) Frequent development of combined pituitary hormone deficiency in patients initially diagnosed as isolated growth hormone deficiency: a long term follow-up of patients from a single center. Pituitary 18(4):561–567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11102-014-0610-9

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Pampanini V, Pedicelli S, Gubinelli J, Scirè G, Cappa M, Boscherini B, Cianfarani S (2015) Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging as First-Line Investigation for Growth Hormone Deficiency Diagnosis in Early Childhood. Horm Res Paediatr 84(5):323–330. https://doi.org/10.1159/000439590

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Pinto G, Adan L, Souberbielle JC, Thalassinos C, Brunelle F, Brauner R (1999) Idiopathic growth hormone deficiency: presentation, diagnostic and treatment during childhood. Ann Endocrinol 60(3):224–231

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. van Iersel L, van Santen HM, Zandwijken GRJ, Zwaveling-Soonawala N, Hokken-Koelega ACS, van Trotsenburg ASP (2018) Low FT4 Concentrations around the Start of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Treatment: Predictor of Congenital Structural Hypothalamic-Pituitary Abnormalities? Horm Res Paediatr 89(2):98–107. https://doi.org/10.1159/000486033

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Walvoord EC, Rosenman MB, Eugster EA (2004) Prevalence of adrenocorticotropin deficiency in children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 89(10):5030–5034. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2004-0364

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Zenaty D, Garel C, Limoni C, Czernichow P, Léger J (2003) Presence of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is a significant determinant of the first 3 years growth response to human growth hormone treatment in prepubertal children with nonacquired growth hormone deficiency. Clin Endocrinol 58(5):647–652

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Growth Hormone Research Society (2000) Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone (GH) deficiency in childhood and adolescence: summary statement of the GH Research Society. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 85(11):3990–3993. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.85.11.6984

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Di Iorgi N, Allegri AE, Napoli F, Bertelli E, Olivieri I, Rossi A, Maghnie M (2012) The use of neuroimaging for assessing disorders of pituitary development. Clin Endocrinol 76(2):161–176. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04238.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Frindik JP (2001) Pituitary Morphologic Anomalies and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Pediatric Growth Hormone Deficiency. Endocrinologist 11(4):289–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Schlosser G (2006) Induction and specification of cranial placodes. Dev Biol 294(2):303–351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2006.03.009

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. McCabe MJ, Alatzoglou KS, Dattani MT (2011) Septo-optic dysplasia and other midline defects: the role of transcription factors: HESX1 and beyond. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 25(1):115–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beem.2010.06.008

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Acharya SV, Gopal RA, Lila A, Sanghvi DS, Menon PS, Bandgar TR, Shah NS (2011) Phenotype and radiological correlation in patients with growth hormone deficiency. Indian J Pediatr 78(1):49–54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-010-0211-1

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Alba P, Tsai S, Mitre N (2020) The Severity of Growth Hormone Deficiency Does Not Predict the Presence or Absence of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities - A Retrospective Review. Eur Endocrinol 16(1):60–64. https://doi.org/10.17925/ee.2020.16.1.60

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  57. Marziali S, Gaudiello F, Bozzao A, Scirè G, Ferone E, Colangelo V, Simonetti A, Boscherini B, Floris R, Simonetti G (2004) Evaluation of anterior pituitary gland volume in childhood using three-dimensional MRI. Pediatr Radiol 34(7):547–551. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-004-1208-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Ji Sung Lee (Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea) for the statistical assistance.

Funding

No funding was received for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sang Won Jo.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

Informed consent

Statement of informed consent was not applicable since the manuscript does not contain any patient data

Consent to participate

Statement of informed consent was not applicable since the manuscript does not contain any patient data

Consent for publication

All of the authors gave consent for publication of the article.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

ESM 1

(PDF 94 kb)

ESM 2

(PDF 94 kb)

ESM 3

(PDF 287 kb)

ESM 4

(PDF 186 kb)

ESM 5

(PDF 279 kb)

ESM 6

(PDF 210 kb)

ESM 7

(PDF 319 kb)

ESM 8

(PDF 329 kb)

ESM 9

(PDF 241 kb)

ESM 10

(PDF 284 kb)

ESM 11

(PDF 93 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hwang, J., Jo, S.W., Kwon, E.B. et al. Prevalence of brain MRI findings in children with nonacquired growth hormone deficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroradiology 63, 1121–1133 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-021-02665-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-021-02665-3

Keywords

Navigation