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Resolution of syringomyelia and Chiari malformation after growth hormone therapy
Ashok Gupta1, Aleksander M Vitali, Ralph Rothstein
1Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Pediatric Surgery, British Columbia Children's Hospital/Children's and Women's Health Centre, 4480 Oak St, #K3-159, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Insights
Growth hormone (GH) deficiency in premature infants may be linked to Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia. GH replacement therapy led to the resolution of syrinx and tonsillar herniation in a case study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The co-occurrence of hypopituitarism, Chiari I malformation, and syringomyelia is a recently identified clinical association.
- Previous reports predominantly featured patients with a history of perinatal injury or asphyxia.
Observation:
- This study details a premature infant diagnosed with growth hormone (GH) deficiency, Chiari I malformation, and syringohydromyelia.
- Notably, this patient had no identifiable history of perinatal injury.
Findings:
- Growth hormone (GH) deficiency was identified in the premature infant.
- Treatment with GH replacement therapy resulted in the resolution of the syrinx and tonsillar herniation.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential link between GH deficiency and Chiari I malformation/syringomyelia in the absence of perinatal insults.
- GH replacement therapy may be a viable treatment option for resolving syringomyelia and tonsillar herniation in such cases.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and confirm these findings in a larger cohort.
Introduction:
The association between hypopituitarism, Chiari I malformation, and syringomyelia has been recently recognized. Most of the reported patients suffered perinatal injury or asphyxia.
Materials And Methods:
We present the case of a premature child without identifiable perinatal injury, who was recognized to have growth hormone (GH) deficiency, Chiari I malformation, and syringohydromyelia.
Conclusion:
There was a resolution of syrinx and tonsillar herniation after GH replacement.
