• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.246-256
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• 2009

Purpose: To report the effect of oriental medicine on 2 patients with secondary amenorrhea diagnosed as hypothalamic-pituitary failure. Methods: The patients who had secondary amenorrhea were treated with the oriental medical treatments such as herbal medication, herbal acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, and so forth. Results: After the oriental medical treatments, the patients could have their periods again, their menstrual condition was improved. Conclusion: This case report shows that the oriental medical therapy is effective for treating secondary amenorrhea diagnosed as hypothalamic-pituitary failure.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2015

Purpose: Diencephalic syndrome is an uncommon cause of failure to thrive in early childhood that is associated with central nervous system neoplasms in the hypothalamic-optic chiasmatic region. It is characterized by complex signs and symptoms related to hypothalamic dysfunction; such nonspecific clinical features may delay diagnosis of the brain tumor. In this study, we analyzed a series of cases in order to define characteristic features of diencephalic syndrome. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 8 patients with diencephalic syndrome (age, 5-38 months). All cases had presented to Seoul National University Children's Hospital between 1995 and 2013, with the chief complaint of poor weight gain. Results: Diencephalic syndrome with central nervous system (CNS) neoplasm was identified in 8 patients. The mean age at which symptoms were noted was $18{\pm}10.5$ months, and diagnosis after symptom onset was made at the mean age of $11{\pm}9.7$ months. The mean z score was $-3.15{\pm}1.14$ for weight, $-0.12{\pm}1.05$ for height, $1.01{\pm}1.58$ for head circumference, and $-1.76{\pm}1.97$ for weight-for-height. Clinical features included failure to thrive (n=8), hydrocephalus (n=5), recurrent vomiting (n=5), strabismus (n=2), developmental delay (n=2), hyperactivity (n=1), nystagmus (n=1), and diarrhea (n=1). On follow-up evaluation, 3 patients showed improvement and remained in stable remission, 2 patients were still receiving chemotherapy, and 3 patients were discharged for palliative care. Conclusion: Diencephalic syndrome is a rare cause of failure to thrive, and diagnosis is frequently delayed. Thus, it is important to consider the possibility of a CNS neoplasm as a cause of failure to thrive and to ensure early diagnosis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.583-591
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• 2017

Adrenal insufficiency is caused by adrenal failure or impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The main symptoms of adrenal insufficiency are chronic fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. We report a case of adrenal insufficiency in a 38-year-old female. The patient complained of headache, dizziness, anorexia, and general weakness. We treated her with Iggisaengjin-tang and acupuncture. After treatment, the patient's symptoms were improved and serum cortisol levels rose to a normal range without the aid of steroid supplementation therapy. This case suggests that Korean medicine can be effective in the treatment of adrenal insufficiency, but more clinical reports are needed.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2018

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) centrally plays a role in control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis-related hormone secretions in the reproductive neuroendocrine system. In addition, hormone receptors like luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) are important element for hormones to take effect in target organ. However, ageing-dependent changes in terms of the distribution of GnRH neurons in the brain and LHR expression in the acyclic ovary have not been fully understood yet. Therefore, we comparatively investigated those ageing-dependent changes using young (1-5 months), middle (11-14 months) and old (21-27 months) aged female mice. Whereas a number of GnRH positive fibers and neurons with monopolar or bipolar morphology were abundantly observed in the brain of the young and middle aged mice, a few GnRH positive neurons with multiple dendrites were observed in the old aged mice. In addition, acyclic ovary without repeated development and degeneration of the follicles was shown in the old aged mice than others. LHR expression was localized in theca cells, granulosa cell, corpora lutea and atretic follicle in the ovaries from young and middle aged mice, in contrast, old aged mice had few positive LHR expression on the follicles due to acyclic ovary. However, the whole protein level of LHR was higher in the ovary of old aged mice than others. These results are expected to be used as an important basis on the relationship between GnRH and LHR in old aged animals as well as in further research for reproduction failure.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.267-276
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of oriental medicine on secondary amenorrhea & hypomenorrhea objectively. Methods: By serum hormone assay and history interview, we classified the causes of each patient having secondary amenorrhea & hypomenorrhea. We also diagnosed and treated each patient according to them. And then we estimated the results of treatment by follow-up measurements of serum hormone level. Results: 1. We diagnosed case I as hypothalamic-pituitary disfunction, case II, III as PCOS and case IV as ovarian failure by classifying the causes from western medical scientific angle. 2. We also diagnosed and treated the cases from oriental medical scientific angle. 3. We confirmed the improvement of cases by follow-up measurements of serum hormone level. Conclusion: These results of serum hormone assay showed how medically effective oriental medical therapies of secondary amenorrhea & hypomenorrhea were.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.292-297
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• 2006

Purpose : In medulloblastoma, craniospinal radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy improves the prognosis of tumors but results in significant endocrine morbidities. We studied the endocrine morbidity, especially growth pattern changes. Methods : The medical records of 37 patients with medulloblastoma were reviewed retrospectively for evaluation of endocrine function and growth. We performed the growth hormone stimulation test in 16 patients whose growth velocity was lower than 4 cm/yr. Results : The height loss was progressive in most patients. The height standard deviation score (SDS) decreased from $-0.1{\pm}1.3$ initially to $-0.6{\pm}1.0$ after 1 year(P<0.01). Growth hormone deficiency(GHD) developed in 14 patients. During the 2 years of growth hormone(GH) treatment, the improvements of height gain or progressions of height loss were not observed. Twelve patients(32.4 percent) revealed primary hypothyroidism. One of six patients diagnosed with compensated hypothyroidism progressed to primary hypothyroidism. Primary and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism were observed in two and one patients respectively. There was no proven case of central adrenal insufficiency. Conclusion : Growth impairment developed frequently, irrespective of the presence of GHD in childhood survivors of medulloblastoma. GH treatment may prevent further loss of height. The impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal axis is less common, while central adrenal insufficiency was not observed.