Hypophyseal-Stalk Section in the Treatment of Advancing Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

SINCE the appearance of Poulsen's¹ report describing the cessation of advance and healing of existing lesions of severe diabetic retinopathy in a woman with post-partum hypopituitarism (Sheehan's syndrome), there has been considerable interest in surgical or radiation-source implantation hypophysectomy as a therapeutic approach to this complication of diabetes. Luft et al.² have presented the largest series of cases treated by ablative hypophysectomy, and sporadic reports have appeared, some favorable and others unfavorable, of experience with this radical approach. Root, Ditzel and Mirsky³ expressed the consensus concerning this therapy of retinopathy when they urged that further study and more data be . . .