Correlation of 3D MRI-Derived Adenohypophysis Volume With Height and Peak GH in Peripubertal Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Radiology
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Growth and development disorders in children require accurate assessment tools.
• Pituitary gland volume, specifically adenohypophysis volume (aPV), is a potential indicator of endocrine function.
• 3D CUBE T1 MRI offers high-resolution imaging for volumetric analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate correlations between adenohypophysis volume (aPV) quantified by 3D CUBE T1 MRI, height, and peak GH levels (GH max).
• To evaluate the clinical utility of aPV measurement in assessing growth and development disorders.

Main Methods:

• 380 children (3-12 years) with suspected growth disorders underwent 3.0T pituitary MRI using 3D CUBE T1WI.
• Adenohypophysis volume (aPV) and peak GH levels were measured.
• Pearson and partial correlation analyses were used to assess relationships between aPV, height, and peak GH.

Main Results:

• Significant correlations were found between aPV and weight, age, and height in children.
• After adjusting for covariates (age, gender, weight), significant correlations were observed between aPV and height (r=0.250), aPV and peak GH (r=0.246), and peak GH and height (r=0.176).
• No significant correlation was initially found between aPV and peak GH, or between peak GH and height in adolescent children before covariate adjustment.

Conclusions:

• Adjusted analysis revealed a stronger correlation between aPV and height than between peak GH and height.
• aPV measurement reflects integrated endocrine regulation of growth, not solely GH secretion.
• 3D CUBE T1 volumetry is a clinically valuable, non-invasive tool for assessing pediatric growth and development disorders.