MALE HYPOGONADISM - A REPORT OF 6 CASES

Six case-reports form the basis for an analysis of diagnostic and ther apeutic aspects of male hypogonadism in Ouagadougou. Diagnosis was oft en delayed because of a reluctance to discuss sexual problems and/or b ecause of management mistakes. Parents and practitioners should be enc ouraged to investigate delayed puberty, sexual and libido disorders, a nd abnormal testicular volume. Laboratory tests establish the diagnosi s of hypogonadism and determine its mechanism. Two of the six patients had infectious destructive lesions of the testes and the other four h ad hypothalamopituitary dysfunction (one case each of craniopharyngiom a, acromegaly, pituitary tumor of indeterminate nature, and suspected De Morsier syndrome). Treatment consisted only in replacement hormone therapy in patients with testicular disease. The patients with craniop haryngioma and acromegaly had surgery in another country.