Pituitary duplication: a rare cause of precocious puberty

Finding its place on the spectrum of pituitary duplication disorders, duplication of pituitary stalk: A case report with brief review of literature

Pituitary gland duplication is a rare abnormality and isolated duplication of the pituitary stalk without any pituitary anomaly is an even rarer entity with this case being the first documented case till date. Although incidentally discovered cases of duplication of pituitary gland (DPG) have been reported, sometimes with a duplicated pituitary stalk, patients with this disorder usually present with other craniofacial abnormalities. Consequently, DPG plus syndrome is used as it is often accompanied by endocrine disturbances and pathologies such as median cleft face syndrome, ocular disorders, craniocervical bony abnormalities, vascular anomalies and tuberomammillary masses. Since this is the first reported case without any additional pituitary gland anomaly, we propose the acronym DPS (duplication of pituitary stalk) to be used to unify this entity as we are certain that much like the previously described pituitary duplication disorders, more cases will be documented independently rather than under the umbrella of pituitary duplication disorders. This is critical as the life expectancy (age of diagnosis) in the cases reviewed in our study is as good as normal population with no obvious increase in mortality as compared to existing pituitary duplication syndromes. We present a case report of a 2 year 7 month old girl who was referred by the paediatrician for evaluation of premature thelarche. The duplication of the pituitary stalk along with mega cisterna magna and tuberomammillary fusion was the only positive finding on imaging with the pituitary gland being absolutely normal.

Duplication of the Pituitary Gland: CT, MRI and DTI Findings and Updated Review of the Literature

Duplication of the pituitary gland (DPG) is an extremely rare malformation. DPG is associated with a wide variety of midline and central nervous system malformations (DPG-plus syndrome). We present the computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) findings of a rare case of DPG with associated tuberomammillary fusion resulting in a hypothalamic mass-like configuration, oropharyngeal teratoma, cleft palate, hypertelorism, duplicated/broad sella, duplication/low bifurcation of the basilar artery, and craniovertebral midline anomalies. Qualitative interpretation of DTI yielded normal white matter organization of the brain. The duplication of the prechordal plate and the rostral end of the notochordal plate/notochord is thought to be the main factor leading to a duplication of the pituitary primordium and resulting in the formation of two morphologically normal glands. The time of induction of the teratogenic influence, the extent of the prechordal plate and notochordal plate/notochord abnormalities, and the faulty interactions are believed to be the reason for the wide spectrum of associated midline abnormalities.

Duplication of the oral cavity and mandible: a rare congenital craniofacial anomaly

A newborn girl was referred to the otolaryngology service after prenatal imaging showed a right mandibular mass. Physical examination revealed a 1-2 cm mass along the right mandible with the appearance of a vestigial oral cavity. Tissue resembling the vermillion and primitive tongue appeared innervated and moved in conjunction with oral movements. MRI and CT of the mandible after birth confirmed a partially ossified soft tissue mass of the right mandibular body, containing unerupted teeth. She was taken to the operating room at 6 months of age for mass excision and reconstruction. Postoperatively, she healed well and was feeding without difficulty. Craniofacial duplication, including duplication of stomatodeal structures or diprosopus, is a rare condition with a variety of phenotypes. In the case of suspected craniofacial duplication, associated syndromes should be ruled out and appropriate imaging employed to determine the extent of involvement of adjacent structures, which will ultimately guide surgical planning.

Metabolic, endocrine, and other genetic disorders

Metabolic, endocrine, and genetic diseases of the brain include a very large array of disorders caused by a wide range of underlying abnormalities and involving a variety of brain structures. Often these disorders manifest as recognizable, though sometimes overlapping, patterns on neuroimaging studies that may enable a diagnosis based on imaging or may alternatively provide enough clues to direct further diagnostic evaluation. The diagnostic workup can include various biochemical laboratory or genetic studies. In this chapter, after a brief review of normal white-matter development, we will describe a variety of leukodystrophies resulting from metabolic disorders involving the brain, including mitochondrial and respiratory chain diseases. We will then describe various acidurias, urea cycle disorders, disorders related to copper and iron metabolism, and disorders of ganglioside and mucopolysaccharide metabolism. Lastly, various other hypomyelinating and dysmyelinating leukodystrophies, including vanishing white-matter disease, megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts, and oculocerebrorenal syndrome will be presented. In the following section on endocrine disorders, we will examine various disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, including developmental, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases. Neonatal hypoglycemia will also be briefly reviewed. In the final section, we will review a few of the common genetic phakomatoses. Throughout the text, both imaging and brief clinical features of the various disorders will be discussed.

Partial craniofacial duplication: a review of the literature and case report

Diprosopus (Greek; di-, "two" + prosopon, "face"), or craniofacial duplication, is a rare craniofacial anomaly referring to the complete duplication of facial structures. Partial craniofacial duplication describes a broad spectrum of congenital anomalies, including duplications of the oral cavity. This paper describes a 15 month-old female with a duplicated oral cavity, mandible, and maxilla. A Tessier type 7 cleft, midline meningocele, and duplicated hypophysis were also present. The preoperative evaluation, surgical approach, postoperative results, and a review of the literature are presented. The surgical approach was designed to preserve facial nerve innervation to the reconstructed cheek and mouth. The duplicated mandible and maxilla were excised and the remaining left maxilla was bone grafted. Soft tissue repair included closure of the Tessier type VII cleft. Craniofacial duplication remains a rare entity that is more common in females. The pathophysiology remains incompletely characterized, but is postulated to be due to duplication of the notochord, as well as duplication of mandibular growth centres. While diprosopus is a severe deformity often associated with anencephaly, patients with partial duplication typically benefit from surgical treatment. Managing craniofacial duplication requires a detailed preoperative evaluation as well as a comprehensive, staged treatment plan. Long-term follow up is needed appropriately to address ongoing craniofacial deformity.

Nasal hamartoma associated with duplicated pituitary

Nasal hamartomas are rare congenital lesions. We describe a case of nasal hamartoma associated with pituitary duplication and other midline anomalies. A 40-year-old female with a history of breast cancer presented with nasal obstruction. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass arising from the nasal septum, as well as duplication of the pituitary and a skull base canal that extended from the margin of the left pituitary fossa to the nasal mass. The mass was subsequently resected via a transnasal endoscopic approach and histology confirmed the presence of hamartoma. Nasal hamartomas are benign lesions that can be associated with other midline anomalies, such as duplicated pituitary, and can be managed conservatively.