POLYURIA AFTER OPERATION FOR TUMORS IN THE REGION OF THE HYPOPHYSIS AND HYPOTHALAMUS

Abstract

Four patterns of change in the daily urinary volumes were observed in 43 patients in whom polyuria developed subsequent to operation for tumors in the region of the hypophysis and hypothalamus. (1) Brief polyuria developed in 12 patients and was followed by a permanent return of the urinary volumes to normal levels. (2) Transient polyuria was followed in 15 patients by normal urinary volumes (interphase) and later by permanent polyuria. (3) Permanent polyuria developed without an interphase in 10 patients. (4) A variation of the second pattern was seen in 6 patients in whom there was an initial peak of increased urinary output followed by a partial return toward normal, and finally permanent polyuria. Although the basis for the various urinary patterns of polyuria could not be determined, it is assumed that the surgical procedures induced changes in the hypothalamico-neurohypophyseal system comparable to those which are known to cause similar patterns of polyuria in experimental animals.