[Hypothalamic dysfunction. 2 cases: the contribution of nuclear magnetic resonance, therapeutic trial of naltrexone]

Two cases of idiopathic hypothalamic dysfunction (one boy and one girl) are reported. Symptoms of hypothalamic dysfunction were noted by the age of 2 years: initial polyphagia and obesity with subsequent anorexia and emaciation were observed in one patient. Thermoregulation and thirst disorders, recurrent accesses of hypernatremia, acrocyanosis and profuse sweating were present. Impaired growth and delayed puberty in one case, and in the other hypogonadism, absence of growth hormone and gonadotrophins release in response to provocative stimuli were observed as well as abnormal thyroid stimulating hormone response to thyrotropin releasing hormone with hyperprolactinemia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed structural lesion in the lateral part of the lentiform nucleus in one case. Treatment with naltrexone, an opiate antagonist, had little if any effect.