Absence of Pituitary Gland, Hypothyroidism, Hypoadrenalism and Hypogonadism in a 17-Year-Old Dwarf

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Abstract
Absence of the pituitary gland, hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism and hypogonadism has been reported in a 17-yr.-old male dwarf with myxedema, hypoglycemic convulsions and marked genital underdevelopment. There was no pituitary gland within the fossa, and no ectopic cells were found in the tissue between the sella turcia and the posterior pharynx. Histologically, only a small nest of cells was found, which could not be recognized as pituitary cells. There was gross disorganization of the thyroid and no normal thyroid architecture of follicular structure. The adrenals were small and the architecture was distorted by diffuse interstitial fibrous tissue surrounding small islets of cortical cells. The testes were minute and only atrophic remnants of seminiferous tubules remained surrounded by diffuse dense fibrous tissue. The relationship between the endocrinopathy and the life history of the patient is discussed.