Craniospinal radiation therapy for treatment of brain tumors may result in growth hormone (GH) insufficiency with resultant linear growth retardation, one of the most common complications. We report the case of a 10-year-old boy presenting headache associated to vertigo, nausea and vomiting. A CT scan showed an homogeneous mass in the left cerebelar hemisphere, that was surgically removed. The histopathological examination revealed medulloblastoma and the patient was submitted to craniospinal radiation. He did not present tumor recurrence nor neurological or cognitive deficits during 4 years, but evolved to short stature due to GH deficiency. Nowadays, he is being receiving GH 0,1 U/kg/day and has presented 4cm stature increment after 6 months. The present case highlights the importance in carefully monitoring of children after cranial radiation for oncologic treatment, because they may develop hormonal deficiencies, that can be successfully replaced.
growth hormone deficiency; medulloblastoma; radiotherapy
