title: Long-term follow-up of hypothalamic-pituitary function in patients with transsphenoidal pituitary herniation and midfacial anomalies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We wished to determine whether patients with transsphenoidal pituitary herniation were at risk of developing pituitary failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  We followed up hypothalamic-pituitary function annually in patients with midfacial anomalies and pituitary herniation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two patients who had transsphenoidal pituitary herniation and midfacial anomalies were included and the literature was reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients became gonadotrophin, TSH and growth hormone-deficient despite neurosurgical repair.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that the early diagnosis and neurosurgical repair of transsphenoidal pituitary herniation may prevent central nervous system infection and rhinorrhoea. Surgical repair may not prevent pituitary failure as was evident in both of our cases. Periodic evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is essential to determine whether early hormonal replacement therapy is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Chicago Medical School, Illinois.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Ellyin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Potchynok
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006547:Hernia / Q000503:physiopathology; D059685:Herniorrhaphy; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013006:Growth Hormone