Hypothalamic lipoma and growth hormone deficiency

Abstract

Background Intracranial lipomas are rare, congenital lesions, most often located at the midline. Most hypothalamic lipomas are asymptomatic, but some cases have been associated with precocious puberty, hypothermia, headache and/or obesity. Case presentation A 7-year-old boy was referred for short stature and proved to be partially growth-hormone deficient. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a lipoma in the paramedian hypothalamus. Growth hormone treatment resulted in swift and uncomplicated catch-up growth. Conclusions The present case appears to be the first to link hypothalamic lipoma to GH deficiency. The neuro-endocrine pathophysiology underpinning this link remains to be explored.