MRI for delayed puberty?

[Anonymous]

DS started seeing a pediatric endocrinologist last year after his 15 year check up when the pediatrician didn’t see signs of puberty starting yet. Got bloodwork done (everything normal except slightly low testosterone which tracked with his delayed puberty) and bone age scan, which showed he was about 2 years behind. Fast forward to now. While he grew about 4 inches since last year he still at about Tanner stage 1-2 at almost 16. Another bone age scan is showing he hasn’t progressed much at all and is showing delay of almost 3 years now. PE ordered more bloodwork and said depending on the result of the bloodwork they might order an MRI. I know I should have asked more questions directly with the PE but if there is anyone who’s BTDT, can you share your experience? Should we be worried? What would they be looking for in an MRI?

[Anonymous]

I assume they’d be looking for a pituitary gland tumor?

[Anonymous]

DP.

OP, don't focus overmuch on the word "tumor." A pituitary tumor can be (an often is) benign, not at all cancerous. And you can find other causes for delayed puberty on brain MRI -- the pituitary can be hypoplastic, or ectopic, or you can have dysgenesis of the stalk, etc.

That is to say some of the pituitary tissue can be in the wrong place or not formed in the typical structural way, and that can cause problems without a tumor, as well.