Hypothalamic Tumor

Abstract

A clinical pathologic correlation is presented in 2 cases of hypothalamic tumor, making special use of Gomori''s chrome-alum-hematoxylin and phloxine stain to study the neurosecretory material of the hypothalamus and neurohypophysis. The 1st case, which had diabetes insipidus and sexual infantilism, revealed a pineal tumor implant in the median eminence too small to be seen grossly. It completely interrupted all tracts to the neurohypophysis, and produced complete retrograde degeneration of both supraoptic and para-ventricular nuclei; all evidence of neurosecretion was absent. The 2d case, which had no clinical neuroendocrine disturbances, had a large tumor apparently destroying the hypothalamus; however, on microscopic examination supraoptic neurones were found displaced far laterally and neurosecretory material was found there and in parts of the neurohypophysis. These findings support the idea that neurosecretory material is closely related to posterior pituitary hormones, the absence of which results in diabetes insipidus. Because of the discreteness of the lesion in the first case, it was further possible to correlate its effect with the anatomical changes in the hypothalamus, sexual infantilism, disturbances in serum electrolytes, and the absence of lipid depletion of the adrenal cortices.