1
|
Li MWT, Poon SWY, Cheung C, Wong CKC, Shing MMK, Chow TTW, Lee SLK, Pang GSW, Kwan EYW, Poon GWK, Yau HC, Tung JYL, Liu APY. Incidence and Predictors for Oncologic Etiologies in Chinese Children with Pituitary Stalk Thickening. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3935. [PMID: 37568752 PMCID: PMC10417368 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of children with endocrine disorders, pituitary stalk thickening (PST) poses a clinical conundrum due to the potential for underlying neoplasms and challenges in obtaining a tissue biopsy. The existing literature suggests Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) to be the commonest (16%) oncologic cause for PST, followed by germ cell tumors (GCTs, 13%) (CCLG 2021). As the cancer epidemiology varies according to ethnicity, we present herein the incidence and predictors for oncologic etiologies in Hong Kong Chinese children with PST. METHODS Based on a territory-wide electronic database, we reviewed patients aged < 19 years who presented to three referral centers with endocrinopathies between 2010 and 2022. Records for patients who underwent at least one MRI brain/pituitary were examined (n = 1670): those with PST (stalk thickness ≥ 3 mm) were included, while patients with pre-existing cancer, other CNS and extra-CNS disease foci that were diagnostic of the underlying condition were excluded. RESULTS Twenty-eight patients (M:F = 10:18) were identified. The median age at diagnosis of PST was 10.9 years (range: 3.8-16.5), with central diabetes insipidus (CDI) and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) being the most frequent presenting endocrine disorders. At a median follow-up of 4.8 years, oncologic diagnoses were made in 14 patients (50%), including 13 GCTs (46%; germinoma = 11, non-germinoma = 2) and one LCH (4%). Among patients with GCTs, 10 were diagnosed based on histology, two by abnormal tumor markers and one by a combination of histology and tumor markers. Three patients with germinoma were initially misdiagnosed as hypophysitis/LCH. The cumulative incidence of oncologic diagnoses was significantly higher in boys and patients with PST at presentation ≥6.5 mm, CDI or ≥2 pituitary hormone deficiencies at presentation and evolving hypopituitarism (all p < 0.05 by log-rank). CONCLUSIONS A higher rate of GCTs was observed in Chinese children with endocrinopathy and isolated PST. The predictors identified in this study may guide healthcare providers in Asia in clinical decision making. Serial measurement of tumor markers is essential in management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario W. T. Li
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China; (M.W.T.L.); (S.L.K.L.); (J.Y.L.T.)
| | - Sarah W. Y. Poon
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Claudia Cheung
- Department of Radiology, The Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chris K. C. Wong
- Department of Radiology, The Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Matthew M. K. Shing
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China; (M.W.T.L.); (S.L.K.L.); (J.Y.L.T.)
| | - Terry T. W. Chow
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China; (M.W.T.L.); (S.L.K.L.); (J.Y.L.T.)
| | - Samantha L. K. Lee
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China; (M.W.T.L.); (S.L.K.L.); (J.Y.L.T.)
| | - Gloria S. W. Pang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China; (M.W.T.L.); (S.L.K.L.); (J.Y.L.T.)
| | - Elaine Y. W. Kwan
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China; (M.W.T.L.); (S.L.K.L.); (J.Y.L.T.)
| | - Grace W. K. Poon
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ho-Chung Yau
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joanna Y. L. Tung
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China; (M.W.T.L.); (S.L.K.L.); (J.Y.L.T.)
| | - Anthony P. Y. Liu
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, Hong Kong, China; (M.W.T.L.); (S.L.K.L.); (J.Y.L.T.)
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Angelousi A, Alexandraki KI, Mytareli C, Grossman AB, Kaltsas G. New developments and concepts in the diagnosis and management of diabetes insipidus (AVP-deficiency and resistance). J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13233. [PMID: 36683321 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a disorder characterised by the excretion of large amounts of hypotonic urine, with a prevalence of 1 per 25,000 population. Central DI (CDI), better now referred to as arginine vasopressin (AVP)-deficiency, is the most common form of DI resulting from deficiency of the hormone AVP from the pituitary. The less common nephrogenic DI (NDI) or AVP-resistance develops secondary to AVP resistance in the kidneys. The majority of causes of DI are acquired, with CDI developing when more than 80% of AVP-secreting neurons are damaged. Inherited/familial CDI causes account for approximately 1% of cases. Although the pathogenesis of NDI is unclear, more than 280 disease-causing mutations affecting the AVP2 protein or AVP V2 receptor, as well as in aquaporin 2 (AQP2), have been described. Although the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway remains the major regulatory pathway of AVP/AQP2 action, in vitro data have also revealed additional cAMP independent pathways of NDI pathogenesis. Diagnosing partial forms of DI, and distinguishing them from primary polydipsia, can be challenging, previously necessitating the use of the water deprivation test. However, measurements of circulating copeptin levels, especially after stimulation, are increasingly replacing the classical tests in clinical practice because of their ease of use and high sensitivity and specificity. The treatment of CDI relies on desmopressin administration, whereas NDI requires the management of any underlying diseases, removal of offending drugs and, in some cases, administration of diuretics. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of DI has led to novel evolving therapeutic agents that are under clinical trial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Angelousi
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, Laikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Chrysoula Mytareli
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, Laikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ashley B Grossman
- Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Barts and the London School of Medicine, London, UK
- NET Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Gregory Kaltsas
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Laikon Hospital, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|