[Growth retardation after irradiation of a chordoma of the clivus].

In a seven year old boy a chordoma of the clivus has been treated by X-ray therapy after partial neurochirurgical resection. A recurrence of the tumor is noted 10 years after at the the border of the X-ray field. The final size of the sexually mature boy is -- 4 DS below the mean with a complete defect in GH secretion after arginin and insulin stimulation. TSH secretion insuficiency and high HPr levels are shown by TRH stimulation test. The length of survey in this particular case has allowed the demonstration of severe stunting growth which is in part a consequence of hypothalamo-pituitary axis irradiation.