The endocrine spectrum of arachnoid cysts in childhood.
BACKGROUND
On clinical grounds, arachnoid cysts are usually associated with neurological dysfunction. There is little information concerning their involvement in endocrinological disorders.


METHODS
The experience in 6 children (birth to 12 years) with hypothalamic-pituitary disturbances secondary to the presence of intracranial arachnoid cysts is reported and the literature is reviewed.


RESULTS
Three of our children were diagnosed with isolated hormone abnormalities (2 children with precocious puberty and 1 child with growth hormone, GH deficiency). One child presented the unusual combination of GH deficiency and precocious puberty. The remaining 2 children developed panhypopituitarism associated with diabetes insipidus.


CONCLUSIONS
Arachnoid cysts may cause a wide spectrum of endocrinological disorders. Periodical and complete follow-up of every patient is recommended.
Mohn
A
A
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
Schoof
E
E
Fahlbusch
R
R
Wenzel
D
D
Dörr
H G
HG
D016080:Arachnoid Cysts / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D019382:Human Growth Hormone