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Pons ratio as a potential diagnostic biomarker for the detection of growth hormone deficiency in children
Correspondence Address: Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.246236
Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging, pediatric population, pituitary insufficiency, pons, posterior fossa
The pituitary gland is a small organ of vital importance and any abnormality in hormone levels indicates pituitary insufficiency (PI), a serious clinical and radiological problem. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for revealing the anatomy of the pituitary region. However, children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) mostly have normal MRI. Tsai et al.,[1] found that 67% of their patients with isolated GHD had a normal MRI, similar to former studies where normal pituitary anatomy was seen in 20–70% of the patients on MRI. On the other hand, growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy affects anthropometric measurements (head circumference, fronto-occipital head diameter, etc.).[2] In particular, skull measurements related to developmental defects of the posterior fossa (PF) could be a clue to the diagnosis of GHD. Indeed, Fujita et al.,[3] found that the smaller PF volume is more often associated with patients with Chiari malformation More Details (CM) and various endocrinological disturbances such as GHD than in normal individuals. On the basis of their morphometric study, Nishikawa et al.,[4] suggested that the tentorium becomes steeper in patients with CM and the neural tissue herniates into the spinal canal by compensating for the reduced dimension of the bony PF. On the skull floor, the inter-sphenoid synchondrosis closes at the birth and the spheno-ethmoidal synchondrosis fuses at 7 years, but the synchondrosis of the sphenoid and occipital bone is closed at the end of puberty.[5] This anatomical knowledge is vital for understanding the developmental abnormalities in the posterior cranial fossa in children with GHD. On the basis of our preliminary observations, we speculate that the pituitary stalk is stretched and the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system is displaced in patients with GHD, possibly because of the upward movement of the brain stem resulting from developmental defects in the bony structure of the PF. To test this hypothesis, we examined the location of the pons as detected by MRI in pediatric patients with PI. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the location of the pons in patients with GHD.
Study design and population The brain MRI findings and clinical data of 48 children with suspected PI (22 females, 26 males; mean age 11.6 ± 2.2 years, with a range 6–14 years) were examined retrospectively by two radiologists blinded to the clinical information concerning the cases. Fifteen of the 48 children were followed up in the pediatric endocrinology polyclinic with a diagnosis of GHD and were receiving GH treatment, whereas 33 children without GHD were used as the control group. In this study, GHD was diagnosed when the GH peak was <10 ng/ml in the clonidine and L-dopa tests. Panhypopituitarism was also evaluated by measuring the other hypophyseal hormones (adrenocorticotrophic hormone [ACTH], cortisol, follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], and prolactin [PRL]). Based on these measurements, 13 of the 15 children were determined to have isolated GHD and the rest had panhypopituitarism. The MRI findings were normal for the hypophysis, and no apparent PF malformation other than our findings was detected. GH treatment had also no effect on the hypophyseal volume and dimensions. Any brain/suprasellar mass, arachnoid cyst, an interrupted or thin pituitary stalk, an absent or ectopic posterior pituitary gland, anterior pituitary hypoplasia or aplasia and hindbrain malformation were excluded from the study. This study was approved by the Local University Ethical Committee (No. 2016/880). Pons ratio on MRI as an indicator of pons location The MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5-Tesla Philips Achieva (field of view 231 × 220, Philips Healthcare, the Netherlands) at our institute in the period from 2013–2016. On sagittal T2-weighted images (TR: TE 5840:110, FA 90, matrix size 244 × 194), an axis was drawn from the dorsum sellae to the posterior angle of fourth ventricle (primary axis printarticle.asp?issn=0028-3886;year=2018;volume=66;issue=6;spage=1680;epage=1684;aulast=Tuncyurek) [Figure 1].
The following reference lines from midsagittal T2-weighted MRI sections were used:
Assessment parameter The PR, an indicator of the location of the pons relative to the PF, was used to assess the developmental and morphological defects in the PF-pons. The PRs of children with and without diagnoses of GHD were compared to assess the diagnostic value of the PR; that is, the location of the pons on the sagittal axis. Statistical analysis The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences [SPSS] version 14.0 (Chicago, IL, USA) was used for assessment. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics such as the mean, standard deviation, and range. The PRs of children with and without the diagnoses of GHD were compared using the independent sample t-test. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimum cut-off PR value for the diagnosis of GHD. A P-value < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
Of the 48 children examined, 15 (10 males, 5 females; mean age 11.0 ± 2.7 years; height 133.5 ± 13.2 cm; and weight 28.5 ± 18.3 kg) were undergoing GH replacement treatment for GHD, whereas the remaining 33 control children without GHD (16 males, 17 females, mean age 12.0 ± 1.8 years; height 155.2 ± 16.4 cm; and weight 47.9 ± 20.3 kg) had normal brain MRI findings and no pathological diagnosis of any disease [Table 1]. It was obvious that both the measurements of height and weight of children without GHD were higher than those of the control children with GHD (P = 0.06 and P = 0.01, respectively).
[Figure 3] shows the MRIs of the PRs of children with and without GHD. The PR was significantly higher in children with GHD (mean 0.31 ± 0.07, range 0.18–0.42, median 0.34 mm) than those without GHD (mean 0.26 ± 0.06, range 0.17–0.44, median 0.25 mm; P = 0.018). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, a cutoff PR value of 0.235 for diagnosing GHD had an 100% sensitivity and 42.4% specificity [Figure 4].
The CCA differed significantly between the children with and without GHD (137.0 ± 7.1 and 144.8 ± 7.6, respectively, P = 0.005). The KI also differed significantly between the children with and without GHD (35.6 ± 4.5 and 40.0 ± 4.1, respectively, P = 0.004). A box-and-whisker plot showing the PR, CCA, and KI in children with and without GHD is presented in [Figure 5]. Importantly, the PR in children with GHD was higher than those without GHD (P = 0.01).
This retrospective case-control study examined the PF and pons on MRI, focusing on the location of the pons in relation to the PF on the sagittal axis, and its association with GHD. On the basis of our findings, we suggest that the newly described PR is a novel index for differentiating between GHD and normal cases. Role of MRI of the pituitary gland in the differential diagnosis of children with GHD Recently, Ertekin et al.,[6] calculated the pituitary volume in a stereological study using MRI. Today, MRI is the standard method for assessing pituitary development and abnormalities in children.[7],[8],[9] Nevertheless, most children with GHD have normal MRI.[1] Therefore, it is necessary to define a hidden structural abnormality specific for patients with GHD for an early and definitive diagnosis of PI. Here, we have shown that the location of the pons is abnormal with respect to PF structures in patients with GHD, and we suggest that radiological evaluation of the suspected cases should include spatial measurements from the PF for establishing the correct diagnosis. The evaluation of the pituitary gland is based primarily on the radiologist's experience. The PR was defined recently. Beukhof et al.,[10] described the classical MRI triad in pituitary stalk interruption syndrome that consists of: (1) an interrupted or thin pituitary stalk; (2) an absent or ectopic posterior pituitary gland; and, (3) anterior pituitary hypoplasia or aplasia. These MRI findings are frequently found in idiopathic GHD, which are related to pituitary abnormalities.[11] However, we did not detect these MRI findings in our patient group. In previously reported patients with CM, a mesodermal malformation, the small PF associated with occipital dysplasia was identified upon morphometric analyses.[4],[12],[13],[14] The brain stem moves downwards in CM, but upward displacement of the pons relative to PF owing to its small size may cause stretching of stalk of the pituitary gland, or it could be just a sign of underdeveloped bone tissue as a result of PI.[15] The pituitary stalk may move vertically between the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, leading to displacement of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system. Unfortunately, it is difficult to recognize this finding on routine brain MRI scan protocols. In the current study, we used brain stem locations from the MRI study, whereas all PF measurements in the previous studies had been calculated by certain bone references. Small PF volume In the present study, we have specifically measured the KI and our findings are quite similar to those of Karagöz et al.[16] According to their study, the clivus length and KI were noticeably shorter in patients with CM than in normal subjects.[16] The results of previous studies have clearly revealed that the basiocciput growth is delayed in CM.[4],[12],[17] Accordingly, the KI and CCA differed significantly between the patients with and without GHD in our cases. These morphometric findings strongly suggest that the PF is smaller than normal in GHD. As far as we know, only one study has described the relationship of the small PF to GHD in the literature. Tubbs et al.,[18] demonstrated that the PF volume did not differ between patients with CM and those with GHD. They used Cavalieri morphometric analysis to measure the PF volume.[18] Furthermore, in their study, the basiocciput was short, the foramen magnum long, and the tentorial angle was large in those patients with GHD, whether CM was present or not.[18] Interestingly, the PF and the anterior cranial fossa appear distorted on lateral images in children with GHD. Pirinen et al.,[19] found the clivus to be shorter than normal when they assessed the length of the basiocciput (from the spheno-occipital synchondrosis to the basion) in children with GHD. They also showed that patients with GHD have a shorter midsagittal distance of the foramen magnum length when compared to normal individuals, that is, 38 mm in contrast to that of normal values, respectively.[18],[19] The CCA measurements from plain radiographs range from 150° to 180° and values lower than 150° are accepted as pathological.[15] Nevertheless, the normal values were different in MRI studies.[17] Botelho et al.,[20] calculated that the range of CCA was 129–179°.[20] In our study, all patients had an angle that was less than 150°. Technically, the occipital protuberance and the tip of dens are hardly defined in X-ray images. In the current study, we developed a novel and simple index using MRI that could provide an alternative to other indices in the classical literature. According to Nishikawa et al.,[4] the tentorium is pushed forwards and becomes perpendicular; and, by compensating for the reduced volume of PF, the neural structures herniate upwards or downwards. It is interesting to note that the brain stem herniated upwards in our cases with GHD. Embryology and development Embryologically, the notochord and the paraxial mesoderm extend cranially into the region where the brain develops, and the pituitary gland arises from the diencephalon. Some mutations can cause human pituitary diseases, including isolated or combined hormonal abnormalities, and many specific syndromes such as septo-optic dysplasia, hypopituitarism and mental retardation, holoprosencephaly, and multiple midline defects may also occur.[19] It has been speculated that the simple morphological stretching of the stalk of the PF during the development leads to hypothalamo-PI.[21] GHD might inhibit the development of the posterior calvarium by preventing bone growth, whereas the developmental defects of the paraxial mesoderm affect occipital development.[22] As a result, these anomalies can develop concurrently with underdevelopment of the pituitary gland. In clinical practice, the gland is commonly assessed on the basis of radiological evaluation. The PR was initially defined on MRI in our study, though some measurements were defined on the X-ray images. This ratio of A to B was higher in GHD patients, which indicates that the height of the pons above the PA is greater. The high value of the ratio of A to B in the GHD group does not indicate a specific malformation. In our study, we think that we discovered an important relationship between the PF changes and GHD. On the other hand, this study had several limitations. First, the number of patients recruited was less and the study was retrospective in nature, both of which prevented the attainment of a definitive conclusion regarding the diagnostic value of pontine location in the pediatric population with GHD. We need to enlarge the number of the patients and we should also examine more patients with PI. Second, because of the administration of GH replacement therapy in the recruited patients, no correlation between the hormonal levels and MRI measurements could be established, which would have demonstrated the correlation between the pontine location and GHD. However, this is the first study that assesses the pons in GHD; our data suggest the diagnostic value of assessing the location of pons in suspected cases. It will certainly be very interesting to find out whether or not the PR is valid for establishing a definitive diagnosis of GHD in children. As our finding showed a low specificity, additional prospective clinical studies with large sample sizes are needed for drawing a definitive conclusion regarding the value of the pontine location, estimated using the PR on MRI, for diagnosing GHD in the pediatric population. Finally, this research was designed for a selected group with certain exclusion criteria; further studies are necessary in the future to establish the reproducibility of these findings.
In conclusion, the PR is a novel and simple index for predicting GHD. Our findings indicate that GHD is associated with a higher PR on MRI, indicating a higher location of the pons on the sagittal axis. Therefore, we suggest that the radiological examination of the suspected cases of GHD should include spatial measurements from the PF to establish the correct diagnosis in clinical practice. Acknowledgments We thank Ms. Suzan Stokes for her valuable support in revising the manuscript. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.
[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5]
[Table 1]
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