Pediatric Cushing's Disease and Pituitary Incidentaloma: Is This a Real Challenge?

Genetic Basis of ACTH-Secreting Adenomas

Cushing's disease represents 60-70% of all cases of Cushing's syndrome, presenting with a constellation of clinical features associated with sustained hypercortisolism. Molecular alterations in corticotrope cells lead to the formation of ACTH-secreting adenomas, with subsequent excessive production of endogenous glucocorticoids. In the last few years, many authors have contributed to analyzing the etiopathogenesis and pathophysiology of corticotrope adenomas, which still need to be fully clarified. New molecular modifications such as somatic mutations of USP8 and other genes have been identified, and several case series and case reports have been published, highlighting new molecular alterations that need to be explored. To investigate the current knowledge of the genetics of ACTH-secreting adenomas, we performed a bibliographic search of the recent scientific literature to identify all pertinent articles. This review presents the most recent updates on somatic and germline mutations underlying Cushing's disease. The prognostic implications of these mutations, in terms of clinical outcomes and therapeutic scenarios, are still debated. Further research is needed to define the clinical features associated with the different genotypes and potential pharmacological targets.

Utility of bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling for diagnosis and lateralization of Cushing's disease in the pediatric population: case series and review of the literature

OBJECTS

Cushing's disease (CD) is the most common cause of ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism in children age ≥ 7. The utility of bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS), an important test in adults, is less defined in children. We present a case series of children with ACTH-dependent hypercortisolemia and review the literature to assess the utility of BIPSS in the diagnosis and localization of CD.

METHODS

We performed an IRB-approved chart review of patients aged ≤ 18 with ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism at MGH between 2000 and 2019 and collected clinical, laboratory, radiographic, BIPSS, surgical, and outcomes data.

RESULTS

In our cohort (n = 21), BIPSS had a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 100% for diagnosis of CD. Compared to surgery, successful BIPSS correctly predicted adenoma laterality in 69% of cases vs. 70% by MRI. Among patients with lesions ≥ 4 mm (n = 9), BIPSS correctly lateralized in 50% vs. 100% by MRI. In patients with subtle lesions (< 4 mm, n = 7), BIPSS correctly lateralized in 80% vs. 71% by MRI. In patients (n = 4) with CD and negative MRIs, BIPSS correctly lateralized in 75% cases. Surgical cure was achieved in 90% of patients and 95% of patients had long-term disease control.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort (n = 21; n = 20 CD, n = 1 ectopic ACTH secretion), BIPSS was sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of CD. Compared to MRI, BIPSS was not additionally helpful for lateralization in patients with lesions ≥ 4 mm on MRI. BIPSS was helpful in guiding surgical exploration and achieving immediate postoperative remission among patients with subtle and negative MRI findings.

Pituitary incidentalomas in paediatric age are different from those described in adulthood

PURPOSE

Guidelines on pituitary incidentalomas evaluation and management are limited to adults since there are no data on this matter in the paediatric population. We aim to analyse the morphologic characteristics, hormonal profile and follow-up of these lesions in children.

METHODS

We have searched for pituitary incidentalomas in the neuroimaging reports and electronic medical records of the Paediatric Endocrinology Clinic of our centre. Patients with 18 years-old or less were included.

RESULTS

Forty-one incidentalomas were identified, 25 of them (62.4%) in females. The mean age at diagnosis was 12.0 ± 4.96 years-old. Headaches were the main reason that led to image acquisition (51.2%) and MRI was the imaging method that detected the majority of the incidentalomas (70.7%). The most prevalent lesion was pituitary hypertrophy (29.3%), which was mainly diagnosed in female adolescents (91.7%), followed by arachnoid cysts (17.1%), pituitary adenomas (14.6%) and Rathke's cleft cysts (12.2%). Most patients (90.2%) did not present clinical or laboratorial findings of hypopituitarism or hormonal hypersecretion. Four patients presented endocrine dysfunction: three had growth hormone deficiency and one had a central precocious puberty. Twenty-three patients (56.1%) underwent imagiological revaluation during a median follow-up time of 24.6 months (interquartile range 5.07). None of them presented dimensional progression.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first series of pituitary incidentalomas in pediatric age. Comparing our series with those conducted in adults, we have observed a higher preponderance of pituitary hypertrophy over adenomas, a lower prevalence of hormonal hyper/hyposecretion and lower risk of dimensional progression during follow-up.

Causes of short stature in Pakistani children found at an Endocrine Center

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Short stature is defined as height below 3^rd centile. Causes of short stature can range from familial, endocrine disorders, chronic diseases to chromosomal disorders. Most common cause in literature being idiopathic short stature. Early detection and management of remedial disorders like malnutrition and vitamin D deficiency, Endocrine disorders like growth hormone deficiency & hypothyroidism can lead to attainment of expected height. Pakistani data shows idiopathic short stature as the most common cause of short stature. Our study aimed at detecting causes of short stature in children/adolescents at an Endocrine referral center.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at WILCARE Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Lahore on 70 well-nourished children/adolescents. The patients had been evaluated clinically, biochemically and radiologically as needed. Biochemical testing included hormonal testing as well to detect endocrine causes. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS 20.0.

RESULTS

Leading cause of short stature in our population was Growth Hormone (GH) deficiency seen in 48 out of 70 (69%) patients. Second most common endocrine abnormality seen in these patients was Vitamin D deficiency [44 out of 70 patients (63%)]. Primary hypothyroidism; pan-hypopituitarism & adrenal insufficiency were other endocrine causes. The weight for age was below 3^rd percentile in 57 (81%) patients, with no association with other major causes.

CONCLUSION

Growth hormone and Vitamin D deficiency constitute one of the major causes of short stature among well-nourished children with short stature in Pakistan.