Hypopituitarism following extirpation of a pharyngeal pituitary

A neonate without external malformation had undergone removal of a nasopharyngeal mass containing anterior and posterior pituitary tissue. Numerous endocrine evaluations since that time have confirmed polyhormonal hypopituitarism. Endocrine replacement has resulted in a healthy, normal child except for short stature. The literature dealing with pharyngeal pituitary, congenital absence of the pituitary, cyclopia, and other malformations of the pituitary suggests only vague theories to explain the infrequent anomalies found in this area. We propose that laminagrams of the sphenoid of newborns with sighus may aid in early diagnosis and appropriate replacement therapy.