Prospective assessment of pituitary size and shape on MR imaging after suppressive hormonal therapy in central precocious puberty.
OBJECTIVE
The diagnostic significance of an enlarged pituitary gland regarding both shape and size parameters on MR imaging has previously been demonstrated in children with central precocious puberty. This study was designed to assess changes in these parameters following successful suppressive therapy of central precocious puberty with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue.


METHODS
Twelve girls (mean age 7.3 years) with central precocious puberty were prospectively enrolled in our study protocol. Sagittal and coronal MR images of the pituitary region were obtained in all patients before treatment and after at least 6 months of GnRH analogue therapy (mean 18.0 months). Parameters measured included pituitary gland height, length, width, sagittal cross-sectional area, and volume.


RESULTS
All patients had excellent clinical response to treatment with arrest of secondary sexual development, normalization of serum estradiol levels, and complete obliteration of the LH response to diagnostic GnRH stimulation. No significant change occurred in any pituitary size or shape parameter following GnRH analogue therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Favorable clinical response to GnRH analogue therapy in central precocious puberty is not accompanied by significant a change in pituitary gland size and shape.
Department of Radiology-JPP 3889, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City 52246, USA.
J T
JT
Van Beek
M J
MJ
Sharafuddin
S C
SC
Kao
A
A
Luisiri
L R
LR
Garibaldi
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D016729:Leuprolide