title: Pituitary stalk lesion in a 13-year-old female.
abstract: Germinomas presenting with a pituitary stalk lesion and panhypopituitarism are rare in children, and their definite diagnosis is challenging. An invasive diagnostic approach, such as a transsphenoidal biopsy, is often required prior to establishing a treatment regimen. A 13-year-old female presented with 1 year of secondary amenorrhea, fatigue, and progressive thirst with polyuria. Laboratory work-up revealed panhypopituitarism (central hypothyroidism, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, adrenal insufficiency and central diabetes insipidus). α-Fetoprotein and β-human chorionic gonadotropin were not elevated in serum nor in cerebrospinal fluid. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary region showed an enhancing infundibular lesion, extending into the hypothalamus, and infiltrating the pituitary gland. A transsphenoidal biopsy of the infundibular lesion confirmed the diagnosis of germinoma (germ-cell tumor). After appropriate hormone replacement therapy, chemotherapy and low-dose radiation therapy, the patient achieved complete resolution of the pituitary stalk lesion on the MRI.
authors.forename: Mihail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zilbermint
authors.forename: Mary S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ramnitz
authors.forename: Maya B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Lodish
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kanaka-Gantenbein
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kattamis
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lyssikatos
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Patronas
authors.forename: Martha M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Quezado
authors.forename: Constantine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Stratakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001706:Biopsy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome