Anterior Pituitary Hormones are Important in Growth, but does their Deficiency Cause Skeletal Deformity? A Case Report

Curr Health Sci J. 2024 Jul-Sep;50(5):448-452. doi: 10.12865/CHSJ.50.03.13. Epub 2024 Sep 30.

Abstract

Hypopituitarism is a clinical syndrome that occurs when the anterior pituitary gland fails to secrete one or more hormones. Developmental delay is frequently seen in these patients. However, skeletal deformities and postural instability are unexceptional. We present a 17-year-old male patient with panhypopituitarism (PHP) with back and leg pain, postural malalignment, and skeletal deformities referred by the pediatric endocrinology clinic. According to the physical examination, laboratory tests, and radiographic assessments, the patient was considered as sequela spondyloarthropathy (SpA). Autoimmune and rheumatic diseases are frequently encountered in patients with hypogonadism. However, the association of PHP and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has not yet been demonstrated. This case was presented to draw attention to the alignment of PHP and SpA and also to emphasize that skeletal deformities were not encountered in the absence of anterior hypophysis hormones.

Keywords: Panhypopituitarism; anterior hypophysis hormones; growth retardation; skeletal deformity; spondyloarthropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports