Magnetic resonance and the diagnosis of short stature of hypothalamic-hypophyseal origin.

Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 23 patients with short stature (7 had multiple pituitary hormone defect, 11 had isolated growth hormone deficiency and 5 had normal variant short stature) to investigate if there is a relation between magnetic resonance findings and results of endocrine tests. Magnetic resonance imaging of patients with multiple pituitary hormone deficiency or with serious isolated growth hormone deficiency (growth hormone < 3 micrograms/l) revealed an interrupted pituitary stalk and ectopic neurohypophysis or a mass. In patients with less serious isolated growth hormone deficiency (growth hormone > 3 micrograms/l) or with normal variant short stature, the technique revealed a normal or hypoplastic hypophysis. Magnetic resonance appears to be a useful second-level diagnostic tool in defining the type of alteration in growth defects of endocrine origin.