Precocious puberty following head injury. Case report.
A 6-year-old girl developed secondary sexual characteristics 5 months after severe closed head injury. Endocrinological tests confirmed a pubertal sexual condition; there was also diminution of serum melatonin and disruption of the diurnal pattern. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated focal hypothalamic injury; this is believed to be the first time such a posttraumatic lesion has been demonstrated by imaging techniques. The pathophysiology of this condition is discussed.
Maxwell
M
M
Neurosurgical Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston.
Karacostas
D
D
Ellenbogen
R G
RG
Brzezinski
A
A
Zervas
N T
NT
Black
P M
PM
D001933:Brain Stem / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography
D008550:Melatonin