Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: Hypogonadism is a result of testicular failure and/or insufficient pituitary stimulation. Various hypothalamo-pituitary abnormalities or lesions can contribute to hypogonadism. Benign or malign tumoural lesions of cellar or paracellar region, may lead to hypogonadism. Therefore, pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is needed in hypogonadic patients. In our study, we aimed to investigate our hypogonadic patients’ hypothalamo-pituitary MRI findings.

Method: We evaluated 49 hypogonadic patients followed in our clinic. These patients’ pituitary MRI findings are evaluated retrospectively.

Results: 79.4% of patients had hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, whereas 20.6% had hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism. 80.9% of the hypogonadotrophic patients’ were male. 19.1% were female. Pituitary MRI findings of hypogonadotrophic patients revealed that; 59.5% were normal, 16.7% pituitary microadenoma, 11.9% partial empty cella, 4.7% pituitary macroadenoma, 2.4% empty cella, 2.4% ectopic neuropituitary, and 2.4% empty cella and ectopic neuropituitary together. In the hypergonadotrophic group, all of the patients were male. In this group pituitary MR findings were respectively; 71.4% normal, 14.3% ectopic neuropituitary, 14.3% pituitary microadenoma.

Conclusion: In half of the patients with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, Pituitary MRI findings may be normal. In these patients, if clinic and labarotuary results are harmonious, to determine the diagnosis dynamic tests are required and appropriate therapy must be done, even if pituitary MRI is normal. In the hypergonadotrophic hypogonadic patients, although etiology is not associated with hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland, we can find pathologic pituitary MRI results. So, we suggest, carrying out hipothalamo-pituitary imagining with hypergonadotrophic patients.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.