Korean J Intern Med.  2006 Mar;21(1):68-72. 10.3904/kjim.2006.21.1.68.

Delayed Puberty due to Pituitary Stalk Dysgenesis and Ectopic Neurohypophysis

• Yoo HJ
• Choi KM
• Ryu OH
• Suh SI
• Kim NH
• Baik SH
• Choi DS

• KMID: 1782256
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2006.21.1.68

Abstract

Hypopituitarism is not a common cause of delayed puberty. A 22 year old man was referred to our clinic because of the absence of the development of secondary sexual characteristics. The patient had no complaints of physical discomfort. Random serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone level were obtained and found to be low. The combined pituitary function stimulation test revealed a partial hypopituitarism. A pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained and showed decreased pituitary stalk enhancement and ectopic neurohypophysis. Therefore, we conclude that the delayed puberty was a result of hypopituitarism due to pituitary stalk dysgenesis and ectopic neurohypophysis. The patient was started on hormone replacement therapy and gradually developed secondary sexual characteristics.

Keyword

Delayed puberty; Hypopituitarism; Pituitary stalk; Neurohypophysis

MeSH Terms

Time Factors
Puberty, Delayed/*etiology
Pituitary Gland, Posterior/*abnormalities
Male
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Hypopituitarism/*complications/diagnosis
Humans
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Adult