ESPE Abstracts

Unexplained or idiopathic pituitary stalk thickening (PST) often represents a diagnostic conundrum in children and young people. PST can be the first sign of an occult malignancy (>40% of the known aetiologies are neoplastic, particularly when associated with AVP-deficiency), but it can also reflect inflammatory, autoimmune or infectious processes, as well as congenital defects. What is perceived at PST on neuroimaging could even simply represent the upper end of the physio...

Background/aim: HD is a life-threatening, but under-reported, disorder without accepted diagnostic criteria. We prospectively assessed the prevalence and severity of its 4 domains (sleep, appetite, temperature, thirst) in patients with congenital or acquired disorders, and their impact on quality of life (QoL).Methods: 66 patients (35M/31F) aged 12.4 ± 3.1 years, at risk of HD from tumours (n:36) or congenital maldeve...

Background: Genetic variants are identified in a small proportion (~10%) of patients with Congenital Hypopituitarism (CH), with variable associated phenotypes. We aimed to phenotypically characterise a large cohort of patients with genetically proven CH.Patients and methods: 1684 CH patients were screened (Sanger or whole exome sequencing) over a 20-year period (1998-2018) for mutations in genes regulating pitui...

Aim: To identify the distinctive features of GH Deficiency (GHD) and to assess the response to GH treatment (rhGH) in children with Septo-Optic-dysplasia (SOD) and Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiencies (MPHD).Methods: Retrospective longitudinal single centre study of children with SOD (n:171) and MPHD (n:53). GHD was diagnosed in patients with growth failure by an insufficient GH response (≤6.7 μg/l) to provocation (Insulin Induced Hypoglyca...

Background: Children with septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) and related disorders can present with either hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or precocious puberty. This phenotypic variability remains unexplained.Objective and hypotheses: To compare pubertal characteristics of SOD with isolated congenital hypopituitarism (CPHD) and optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH).Method: Retrospective longitudinal data collection from 259 patients with: SOD (...

Introduction: Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is characterized by a combination of midline forebrain, pituitary and eye abnormalities. We aimed to evaluate endocrine features of patients with SOD, and multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies (MPHD).Design: Retrospective data were collected from 130 patients: 102 SOD and 28 MPHD followed at a single tertiary centre. SOD were divided into two groups: with pituitary hormone deficiencies (SOD+, n=83) and...

Introduction: Ectopic posterior pituitary (EPP) is a radiological diagnosis likely caused by a migration defect that occurs during pituitary development. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics and hormonal deficiencies seen in patients with EPP.Method: Longitudinal observational study performed in a single [HK1] [NM2] centre from 1993-2020. As per MRI findings, cases were divided into three cohorts 1) C1: EPP on...

Background: Few studies have described the phenotypic spectrum of Septo-Optic Dysplasia (SOD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the range of H-P structural abnormalities and the endocrine morbidity of children with SOD and related disorders.Methods: Retrospective longitudinal single centre study of children with SOD (n:171), Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiency (MPHD) (n:53) and Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) (n:35).<p class="ab...

Background: Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is an important cause of hypopituitarism, although less common than multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD). Children with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) are at risk of hormone and neurocognitive disturbances.Objective and Hypotheses: We describe clinical and neuroradiological findings of these three overlapping conditions, aiming to understand their pathophysiology.Method: Retrospective a...

Background and objective: Children with Thickened pituitary stalk (TPS) and/or Idiopathic central diabetes insipidus (ICDI) present to different (endocrine, oncology, and ophthalmology) specialists. Their rarity, absence of agreed radiological criteria or consensus guidance, make their management problematic. Biopsy is too dangerous and cases may remain undiagnosed or evolve over decades. We aimed: i) to longitudinally characterize a large childhood cohort presenting with TPS ...