A mess characterised primarily by
obesity and hypogonadotrophic
hypogonadism in
adolescent boys;
dwarfism is rare, and when gift is thought to
reflect hypothyroidism. Visual loss,
behavioural abnormalities, and
diabetes insipidus may occur.
Frohlich's syndrome often is used synonymously for
this mess, although the
original case involved a
pituitary tumour; most cases are thought to
result from
hypothalamic dysfunction in areas regulating
appetite and
gonadal development. The most
general causes are
pituitary and
hypothalamic neoplasms.
Synonym:
adiposis orchica, adiposogenital degeneration, adiposogenital dystrophy, adiposogenital syndrome,
hypophysial syndrome,
hypothalamic obesity with hypogonadism.
Origin: L. Fr. G. Dys-, bad, + trophe, nourishment