Received 26 February 2016; accepted 22 March 2016; published 25 March 2016

1. Introduction

Van Wyk-Grumbach syndrome (VWGS) is characterized by juvenile hypothyroidism, delayed bone age, isosexual precocious puberty and massive ovarian cysts, with reversal to aprepubertal state following thyroid hormone replacement therapy [1] . This syndrome has been described since 1905, but the term Van Wyk and Grum- bach syndrome was coined in 1960 [2] . In this entity, the hypothyroidism leads to growth delay with paradoxically and precocious puberty, while the primary hypothyroidism traditionally leads to both pubertal and growth delay. Undiagnosed, this syndrome can lead to unnecessary surgery of the ovaries, while all the symptoms may get sorted with thyroxine hormone replacement. We report such a case in a 7-year-old girl.

2. Observation

A 7-year-old female patient, presented to the department of pediatrics, with a bilateral pelvicpain, and abdominal distension. She had no urinary complaints or disorder of transit. The interrogation at that time, revealed a history of fatigue, excessive somnolence, deterioration in school performance, decreased activity, cold intolerance, constipation and weight gain. On physical examination showed a Breast development and lack of pubic and axillary hair, there was no clitoromegaly. There was no history of headache, vomiting, and visual symptoms.

She was referred to our department for an ultrasound exploration can explain its symptoms. Ultrasonography of the pelvis showed enlarged multiloculared multicystics ovaries (right ovary measuring 7.5 × 12 cm and left ovary 7.7 × 12.5 cm), with a fine multiple septa andanechoic contents, there did not exist vegetations, neither of vascularization of the septa with doppler, nor of ascite. The uterus appeared postpubertal measuring 5.4 × 3.2 × 3.6 cm with an endometrial stripe of 12 mm.

We completed by a breast and thyroid ultrasound which showed a hypoechoic heterogeneous thyroid gland and a decrease in his size (Figure 1). She had mild enlargement of both the breasts, with the breast tissue measuring 3 × 2 cm (Figure 2).

Pelvic and abdominal CT scan showed bilateral multiloculated ovarian masses with cysticcomponents, with a fine multiple septa, and homogenous contents; the left measuring 8 × 13 cm and the right 8 × 12 cm, Liver, spleen, pancreas and both kidneys were within normal range. There was no para-aortic lymph node enlargement and a normal urinary bladder (Figure 3).

Hormonal investigations revealed severe hypothyroidism (thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) 165 mIU/ml, free T4 1.3 pmol/L, thyroid antibodies negative), with elevated prolactin (Prl 127 mcg/L), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was 7 IU/L and LH was 1 IU/L. Other laboratory investigations were normal (ACTH, cortisol,

testosterone). Her bone age was delayed at 4 years (chronological age 7 yrs 4 mo).

The pituitary MRI was recommended before an elevated prolactin, revealed a large sellar and suprasellar mass of 12 × 13 × 18 mm size, that stretched the optic chiasm and respected thecavernous sinus, with isointense signal on T1-weighted sequences and hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging, and with homogeneously enhancing (Figure 4)

A diagnosis of Van Wyk and Grumbach syndrome was made, and the patient was started on thyroid replacement using L-Thyroxine. Clinically, the patient’s fatigue, pelvic pain, and abdominal distension resolved.

During follow-up, her thyroid functions and serum prolactin normalized in 8 months. Repeat ultrasonography revealed regression of ovarian cysts at 2 months measuring (the left measuring 71 × 33 mm and the right 60 × 31 mm (Figure 5), with normal sized ovaries in 14 months.

3. Discussion

Van Wyk and Grumbach first reported multicystic ovaries with precocious puberty in patients with hypothy-

roidism [3] . The characteristic of this syndrome is that the primary hypothyroidism has classically been associated with delayed growth and delayed puberty in children, but in this syndrome it can be associated with precocious puberty.

This syndrome was more fully described by Van Wyk and Grumbach in 1960, Since then, sporadic reports have appeared in the literature about this condition [3] [4] . In the girl, the salient diagnostic features of this condition include a long-standing history of hypothyroidism with vaginal bleeding, and uncommonly with breast development or galactorrhea. Despite an early stage of puberty, there is a lack of pubic and axillary hair as was seen in our case.

The most common cause of hypothyroidism in these patients is autoimmune thyroditis [5] . Thyroid ultrasound examination showed a small dyshomogeneous and pseudonodular gland. The exact mechanism of the development of precocious puberty in VWGS remains speculative. Van Wyk and Grumbach believed that hormonal overlap in the negative feedback mechanism associated with hypothyroidism caused elevated gonadotropins [6] However, this does not explain the cases in the literature where FSH levels were found to be normal.

Given the inconsistent findings regarding FSH, a more accepted theory is the fact that TSH can act on the FSH receptor [7] [8] . Investigators have been divided over the role of PRL in the pathogenesis of the precocious puberty. Those who point to a central role for hyperprolactinemia contend that increased PRL levels are an important part of the syndrome [9] . They hypothesize that pituitary stimulation by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) leads to increased levels of TSH and PRL.

Sella turcica enlargement may be seen at times and it has been attributed to thyrotroph hyperplasia. Our case highlighted the role of MRI imaging in the diagnosis and follow-up of the thyrotroph hyperplasia in PH and the need for its early recognition to prevent the visual and neurological consequences of suprasellar mass and unnecessary surgery.

The multicystic ovaries may result from elevated levels of circulating gonadotrophins acting on the organ. The cysts resemble lutein cysts seen in Stein-Leventhal syndrome. It also is possible that increased sensitivity of

the ovaries to the circulating gonadotrophins could result from the hypothyroid state directly or via increased PRL [9] .

The results of ultrasonography and CT showed bilateral multiloculated cystic ovarian masses, with benign characters; fine multiple septa, homogenous contents, without vegetations, neither of vascularization of the septa, nor of ascite. Thus, VWGS can be diagnosed nonoperatively, by the recognition of the salient clinical and imaging features, and appropriate confirmatory endocrine laboratory tests. Although there is little consensus regarding the precise etiopathogenesis of the disorder, the treatment approach is clear. All symptoms subside with thyroxine replacement, the endocrine abnormalities resolve, and even the ovarian cysts decrease in size or altogether disappear, as also in the present case during follow-up [10] [11] .

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, we report the case of a young girl with the Van Wyk and Grumbach syndrome due to multicystic ovaries with precocious puberty and hypothyroidism. Recognition of one lesion of the triad should trigger an active search for additional lesions. Ultrasonography and MRI are suggested as the optimal modality for primary and follow-up investigations. The confirmation is done by an endocrine laboratory tests. All symptoms subside with thyroxine replacement, and the endocrine abnormalities are resolved.

NOTES

^*Corresponding author.