[Hypopituitarism caused by pituitary stalk transsection syndrome. Pathogenic hypotheses apropos of 7 cases]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hypothalamic hypophyseal area was performed in seven children with multiple hypophyseal deficiency including growth hormone deficiency. In all cases stalk transection syndrome was found. In four cases MRI showed cranial or cerebral malformations. Perinatal asphyxia was found in only one child, and congenital hypopituitarism was present in two cases. The discussion focuses on the mechanisms that might be responsible for this syndrome. The malformation theory, while not taking into account all situations, seems to be the most appropriate, the reasons being the MRI finding and the patients' case histories.