Pediatric pituitary adenoma with mixed FSH and TSH immunostaining and FSH hypersecretion in a 6 year-old girl with precocious puberty: case report and multidisciplinary management

Objective We describe a rare case of functioning gonadotropins-producing pediatric adenoma immunostaining positively for FSH and focally for TSH causing central precocious puberty associated to central hypothyroidism in a 6 year-old girl. Materials and Methods Clinical evaluation revealed precocious puberty, as confirmed by hormonal determination with elevated FSH and estradiol, while central hypothyroidism was biochemically diagnosed by a low fT4 and normal TSH. Head MRI showed the presence of a hyperintense pituitary lesion. The patient successfully underwent transsphenoidal endoscopic resection of the pituitary macroadenoma. Results Pathologic evaluation of the tissue resected at surgery confirmed the diagnosis of pituitary adenoma with positive immunohistochemistry for FSH and focally for TSH in a mixed pattern. Ten months after surgery, there were no neurological signs and symptoms. Postoperative head MRI showed no abnormalities and no evidence of tumor regrowth. Conclusions Early and accurate diagnosis, multidisciplinary approach and close follow up are crucial factors for the favorable outcome.

Automated summary

The article describes a rare case of pediatric adenoma producing functioning gonadotropins, with positive immunostaining for FSH and TSH, causing central precocious puberty and central hypothyroidism in a 6-year-old girl. The patient underwent successful transsphenoidal endoscopic resection of the pituitary macroadenoma and showed no neurological signs or symptoms 10 months after surgery.