[Diabetes insipidus as a preliminary sign of brain tumor]

The author reports three young male patients with fairly suddenly developing symptoms of diabetes insipidus preceding by 3-10 months the appearance of extensive neurological changes, with prevailing syndrome of increased intracranial pressure. In 2 cases metastases of bronchial carcinoma to the hypothalamus, occipital lobe and hypophysis were found. The survival time was 3-5 months after the appearance of the first symptoms. In the third patient intracranial pinealoma was diagnosed intravitally and the diagnosis was confirmed by computer tomography, intraoperative inspection and autopsy. The survival time was 15 months after the first symptoms.