A HYPOPITUITARY PATIENT WHO ATTAINED TALL STATURE WITHOUT GROWTH-HORMONE

We describe an unusual patient with hypopituitarism who attained tall stature even without growth hormone (GH). A 37-year-old man was devoid of secondary sexual characteristics, but manifested tall stature with a eunuchoidal feature. Serum levels of GH, insulin-like growth factor -I, gonadotropins and testosterone were all below normal. GH secretion was not enhanced by any provocative stimulus. Adrenocorticotropic hor mone increased after administration of corticotropin releasing hormone , but not after insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Thyrotropin increased in response to thyrotropin releasing hormone, but both free T3 and T4 di d not rise. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a transected pituitar y stalk. The present patient had hypopituitarism due to perinatal prob lems but had grown with the aid of non-GH growth-promoting factors, wh ich suggests that man may be able to achieve statural growth even with out GH.