Arachnoid cyst with GnRH-dependent sexual precocity and growth hormone deficiency

Pediatr Neurol. 2004 Feb;30(2):143-5. doi: 10.1016/S0887-8994(03)00418-1.

Abstract

The coexistence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-dependent sexual precocity and growth hormone deficiency in patients with arachnoid cysts is rarely reported, and its pathogenesis is not well recognized. This report describes an 11-year-old female who had a huge intracranial arachnoid cyst with initial symptoms and signs of sexual precocity. Her brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed distorted hypothalamus with a thin and stretched pituitary stalk. After treatment with cysto-peritoneal shunting and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue, her puberty was arrested and subnormal growth rate was observed. Catch-up growth was detected after growth hormone therapy. Hence, coexistence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-dependent sexual precocity and growth hormone deficiency in this patient was confirmed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arachnoid Cysts / complications*
  • Arachnoid Cysts / drug therapy
  • Arachnoid Cysts / pathology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / therapeutic use*
  • Human Growth Hormone / deficiency*
  • Human Growth Hormone / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Puberty, Precocious / complications*
  • Puberty, Precocious / drug therapy
  • Puberty, Precocious / pathology

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone