[Post-traumatic diabetes insipidus syndrome (author's transl)]

Post-traumatic diabetes insipidus was observed in 14 among 702 patients with severe trauma. The cause of the abnormal vasopressin secretion may be cerebral oedema, cerebral contusion near the hypothalamus, pull on the hypophyseal stalk by displacement or gross destruction of the brainstem. The hormonal hypofunction disappears once the cerebral damage has regressed. Treatment consists of exact balancing of water and electrolyte loss, using salt-free solutions. Drug treatment with vasopressin and with ADH-secretion stimulators has given unsatisfactory results, but should be used. Seven of the 14 patients died of their injuries. The symptoms of the diabetes insipidus syndrome regressed in the survivors.