MR of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the MR findings in the hypothalamic pituitary area in children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis and to define those MR alterations especially associated with the risk of developing diabetes insipidus.


METHODS
The hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal axis was studied by sagittal and coronal 1.5 T1-weighted MR imaging in 14 children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (five with diabetes insipidus) and in 28 low-stature controls, ages 6-14 years.


RESULTS
The pituitary stalk was thicker in seven/14 patients (three with diabetes insipidus) than in controls (P less than .05). Bright posterior pituitary signal was undetectable in children with diabetes insipidus and in one/9 without diabetes insipidus.


CONCLUSIONS
Thickening of the hypothalamus and/or the pituitary stalk in the absence of the posterior pituitary bright signal is seen in children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis with overt diabetes insipidus. Those Langerhans cell histiocytosis patients without diabetes insipidus but showing thickened stalk with or without posterior pituitary bright signal could be at high risk to develop diabetes insipidus.
Maghnie
M
M
Department of Pediatrics, University of Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Italy.
Aricò
M
M
Villa
A
A
Genovese
E
E
Beluffi
G
G
Severi
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media; D003919:Diabetes Insipidus / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000473:pathology*; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA