Psychiatric and neuropsychological characterization of Pallister-Hall syndrome

Presumptive Diagnosis of Pallister-Hall Syndrome Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Pallister-Hall syndrome (PHS) is an extremely rare genetic disorder for which the diagnosis is often overlooked. The objective of this case report is to highlight how clinical features used in conjunction with brain MRI findings can lead to an expeditious diagnosis without the need for invasive measures or genetic test results.

We present the case of a three-day-old infant delivered at 34 and 4/7 weeks gestation who presented with mild respiratory distress and bilious emesis in the setting of an uncomplicated gestational course and vaginal delivery with no known teratogen exposure. A diagnosis of Pallister-Hall syndrome was made on the basis of physical exam findings, hormonal abnormalities and the identification of a hypothalamic hamartoma on brain MRI. The patient underwent multiple procedures for diagnosis and management of PHS complications, including a diverting jejunostomy for a long-segment Hirschsprung’s and a laryngoscopy which identified a bifid epiglottis. The patient tolerated the interventions and did not have seizures on admission.

The MRI brain detection of a hypothalamic hamartoma led to an earlier diagnosis of Pallister-Hall syndrome and thus further screening and identification of complications associated with this disorder were performed before genetic analyses or brain biopsies were obtained. Given the unique MRI features of hypothalamic hamartomas, brain MRI can be a useful tool for making an early PHS diagnosis when taken with clinical features concerning possible PHS. 

A clinical approach to parasellar lesions in the transition age

Many reviews have summarised the pathology and management of the parasellar region in adult patients, although an analysis of these aspects in the transition years, from puberty onset to the age of peak bone mass, has been lacking. A comprehensive search of English-language original articles, published from 2000 to 2020, was conducted in the MEDLINE database (December 2019 to March 2020). We selected all studies regarding epidemiology, diagnosis and management of the following parasellar lesions: germinoma, craniopharyngioma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, optic glioma, hypothalamic hamartoma, tuber cinereum hamartoma, cranial chordoma, Rathke cleft cyst, hypophysitis and hypothalamitis during the transition age from childhood to adulthood. In the present review, we provide an overview of the principal parasellar lesions occurring in the transition age. Symptoms are usually a result of the mass effect of the lesions on nearby structures, as well as anterior pituitary deficits. Diabetes insipidus occurs frequently in these patients. In this age group, pubertal developmental disorders may be more evident compared to other stages of life. Parasellar lesions in the transition age mostly include neoplastic lesions such as germinomas, hamartomas, optic gliomas, craniopharyngiomas Langerhans cell histiocytosis and chordomas, and rarely inflammatory lesions (hypophysitis, hypothalamitis). There are limited data on the management of parasellar lesions in the transition age. Endocrine evaluation is crucial for identifying conditions that require hormonal treatment so that they can be treated early to improve the quality of life of the individual patient in this complex age range. The clinical approach to parasellar lesions involves a multidisciplinary effort.