Combined anterior pituitary and neurohypophyseal insufficiency; studies of body fluid spaces and renal function.

Lesions of the neurohypophysis resulting in deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) produce the clinical syndrome of diabetes insipidus, provided the anterior pituitary is functionally intact. If the anterior lobe is destroyed, manifestations of diabetes insipidus may not appear (1-3). The administration of cortisone or adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) to patients with anterior pituitary insufficiency led to the recognition of coexisting -nPti1nrnkvnnn'k,%cPn1 fn;l1vtr, (_7\ Thke ^wosn f in that it approaches a condition in which the role of the kidney may be investigated in the human independent of hormonal control. The present study is an attempt at evaluating water metabolism and certain aspects of renal function in two patients with combined anterior pituitary and neurohypophyseal lesions.