Prospective assessment of pituitary size and shape on MR imaging after suppressive hormonal therapy in central precocious puberty

Objective. The diagnostic significance of an enlarged pituitary gland regar ding both shape and size parameters on MR imaging has previously been demon strated in children with central precocious puberty. This study was designe d to assess changes in these parameters following successful suppressive th erapy of central precocious puberty with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, Materials and methods. Twelve girls (mean age 7.3 years) with central preco cious puberty were prospectively enrolled in our study protocol. Sagittal a nd coronal MR images of the pituitary region were obtained in all patients before treatment and after at least 6 months of GnRH analogue therapy (mean 18.0 months). Parameters measured included pituitary gland height, length, width, sagittal cross-sectional area, and volume. Results. All patients had excellent clinical response to treatment with arr est of secondary sexual development, normalization of serum estradiol level s, and complete obliteration of the LH response to diagnostic GnRH stimulat ion. No significant change occurred in any pituitary size or shape paramete r following GnRH analogue therapy. Conclusion. Favorable clinical response to GnRH analogue therapy in central precocious puberty is not accompanied by significant a change in pituitary gland size and shape.