Changes of hypothalamus-pituitary hormones in patients after total removal of craniopharyngiomas.
BACKGROUND
This paper aimed to elucidate the changes of hypothalamus-pituitary hormones in patients after total removal of craniopharyngiomas.


METHODS
A total of 40 patients with craniopharyngiomas received surgery. The levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyrotropic hormone (TSH), antidiuretic hormone (ADH), and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) were measured in the 40 patients before surgery and one week after surgery respectively.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients (70%) had hypothyroidism before surgery, but 38 (95%) had hypothyroidism after surgery (P < 0.01). Twenty-three patients (57.5%) had diabetes insipidus (DI) before surgery and 38 (95%) had DI after surgery (P < 0.001). The pre- and post-operative levels of ADH were (2.49 +/- 0.30) pg/ml and (2.80 +/- 0.29) pg/ml respectively (P > 0.05), whereas those of ACTH were (23.97 +/- 2.69) pg/ml and (15.60 +/- 1.91) pg/ml respectively (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Hormone deficits after total removal of craniopharyngioma appear to be the common complication of surgery. Hypothyroidism and diabetes insipidus are more frequent after surgery than before surgery. Thyroxine and glucocorticoids should be administered routinely after total removal of craniopharyngioma.
Zhou
Zhong-qing
ZQ
Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China. zhouzq3rd@sina.com
Shi
Xiang-en
XE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*
D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D013963:Thyroid Hormones