McCune-Albright syndrome presenting with unilateral macroorchidism and bilateral testicular masses

"Management of andrological disorders from childhood and adolescence to transition age: guidelines from the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS) in collaboration with the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (SIEDP)-Part-1"

PURPOSE

Andrological pathologies in the adulthood are often the results of conditions that originate during childhood and adolescence and sometimes even during gestation and neonatal period. Unfortunately, the reports in the literature concerning pediatric andrological diseases are scares and mainly concerning single issues. Furthermore, no shared position statement are so far available.

METHODS

The Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS) commissioned an expert task force involving the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (SIEDP) to provide an updated guideline on the diagnosis and management of andrological disorders from childhood and adolescence to transition age. Derived recommendations were based on the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) system.

RESULTS

A literature search of articles in English for the term "varicoceles", "gynecomastia", "fertility preservation", "macroorchidism", "precocious puberty" and "pubertal delay" has been performed. Three major aspects for each considered disorder were assessed including diagnosis, clinical management, and treatment. Recommendations and suggestions have been provided for each of the mentioned andrological disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

These are the first guidelines based on a multidisciplinary approach that involves important societies related to the field of andrological medicine from pediatric to transition and adult ages. This fruitful discussion allowed for a general agreement on several recommendations and suggestions to be reached, which can support all stakeholders in improving andrological and general health of the transitional age.

Phenotypic testicular abnormalities and pubertal development in boys with McCune-Albright syndrome

Aim of this survey is to review the few available literature data on pathophysiologic and clinical aspects of pubertal development in boys with McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS). On the basis of such analysis, we concluded that:

1) peripheral precocious puberty (PPP) is significantly more infrequent in boys than in girls; 2) the most common testicular abnormality at MAS presentation is macroorchidism, that may be either monolateral or bilateral; 3) macroorchidism is not always associated with clinical and biochemical evidence of PPP; 4) testicular microlothiasis is distinctly more frequent in boys with MAS than in those without MAS; 5) the available therapeutic schedules have to be adopted already at MAS presentation only in the cases with PPP.

Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma That Changed to a Functional Gonadotropinoma

Objective

Pituitary adenomas can be classified as clinically functional or silent. Depending on the reviewed literature, these are the first or second place in frequency of the total pituitary adenomas. Even rarer is the presence of a functional gonadotropinoma since only very few case reports exist to date. The conversion of a clinically silent to functional pituitary adenoma is extraordinarily rare; the mechanisms that explain these phenomena are unknown or not fully understood.

Methods

We report the case of a woman who initially had a nonfunctional gonadotropinoma and in the course of her medical condition showed biochemical changes in her hormonal pituitary profile compatible with a functional gonadotropinoma.

Results

We considered that the patient had a functional gonadotropinoma due to the hyperestrogenemia in the context of secondary amenorrhea, resolving the hyperestrogenemia after almost complete resection of the tumor.

Conclusion

It is necessary to point out from a clinical and/or biochemical point of view the change in functionality that a nonfunctional pituitary adenoma may have. In the case of our patient, the suspicion of this change in functionality became evident when we found an increase in the FSH/LH ratio and a progressive increase in serum estradiol concentrations when the patient had amenorrhea.

Characterization and management of testicular pathology in McCune-Albright syndrome

CONTEXT

The testicular phenotype in McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) has not been well characterized. Boys present with a relatively low incidence of precocious puberty in comparison with girls. Radiographic and histological studies are limited to small series and case reports, which report testicular microlithiasis and Sertoli cell hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to characterize the biochemical, radiological, and histological spectrum and clinical management of testicular pathology in males with MAS.

PATIENTS, DESIGN, AND SETTING

Fifty-four males with MAS participated in this prospective cohort study at a clinical research center.

INTERVENTION

Evaluation included testicular exam, pubertal staging, testicular ultrasound, measurement of LH, FSH, and testosterone. Orchiectomies were performed when considered clinically indicated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Prevalence and characterization of ultrasound lesions with correlation to histology were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 54 males, 44 (81%) presented with ultrasound abnormalities including hyperechoic lesions (49%), hypoechoic lesions (30%), microlithiasis (30%), heterogeneity (47%), and focal calcifications (11%). Eight subjects underwent orchiectomy revealing large foci of Leydig cell hyperplasia, which could not be definitively distinguished from Leydig cell tumor. After no subjects developed clinical malignancy, a conservative approach was instituted, and subsequent subjects were followed with serial imaging. Testosterone and gonadotropins were normal in subjects without precocious puberty or pituitary disease. Eleven (21%) presented with precocious puberty, and a combination of aromatase inhibitors, androgen receptor blockers, and leuprolide resulted in improved predicted adult height. In addition, the first cases of testicular adrenal rest and bilateral germ cell tumors in association with MAS are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to prevailing thinking, the incidence of gonadal pathology in MAS is equal in males and females. The predominant histopathological finding was Leydig cell hyperplasia, which carries a low risk of malignant transformation and can be managed conservatively.

McCune-Albright syndrome mimicking malignancy: an endocrine disease from oncologist's perspective

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is categorized as either monostotic or polyostotic and may occur as a component of McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS). Imaging findings can mimic neoplastic diseases. We present a case of MAS initially suspected to have neoplastic disease. A 9-year-old girl was admitted to pediatric emergency with ataxia. Upon hospitalization, an extradural mass was seen on cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the bone survey showed lytic lesions in the long bones. The patient was referred to the pediatric oncology department with a presumptive diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis or metastatic tumor. Further investigations demonstrated that the patient had MAS and coexisting postinfectious cerebellitis. The findings in this patient demonstrate that the radiographic findings and the clinical presentation of FD and MAS may be similar to those of malignant diseases.