Congenital Growth Hormone Deficiency - A Review with a Focus on Neuroimaging

Growth hormone deficiency is an important cause of short stature in childhood. It is characterised by low growth velocity in childhood and is diagnosed by stimulation testing. Individuals with growth hormone deficiency may have other pituitary hormone deficits in addition to growth hormone deficiency. When multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies are present, abnormal pituitary anatomy, as visualised on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is a frequent finding. The classic triad (ectopic posterior pituitary, hypoplastic or aplastic anterior pituitary and absent/thin pituitary stalk) or variants of the classic triad are commonly seen in these patients. Volumetric sequencing allows all three planes of visualisation to be reconstructed in post-processing, allowing the radiologist to more fully evaluate pituitary anatomy. The normal dimensions of the pituitary gland vary by age and precise definitions of what constitutes a hypoplastic gland are not clearly defined in the medical literature. Having an experienced neuroradiologist interpret the MRI in patients with pituitary dysfunction is very important.