title: Hypothalamic neuronal hamartoma and adenohypophyseal neuronal choristoma: their association with growth hormone adenoma of the pituitary gland.
abstract: Hypothalamic neuronal hamartomas and neuronal choristomas of the anterior pituitary are rare lesions; either may be associated with endocrinopathy. We describe a case of each with associated growth hormone-producing pituitary adenomas and clinical acromegaly, both well documented and studied by immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. That a functional relationship exists between the neuronal malformation and the pituitary neoplasm remains speculative. We suggest that a growth hormone-releasing factor-like substance may have been elaborated by hypothalamic-type neurons, which, by a trophic effect, may have resulted in the production of an adenohypophyseal neoplasm. Our study supports the concept that secretory neurons, either outside or within the sella, may induce adenomas.
mesh_terms: D000172:Acromegaly / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D002828:Choristoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007029:Hypothalamic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D013006:Growth Hormone