Bronchogenic carcinoma and diabetes insipidus: case report and review

Tumor metastasis to the posterior pituitary-hypothalamic area rarely is expressed by either clinical or radiographic evidence. A case is reported of widespread metastic ACTH secreting bronchogenic carcinoma presenting to the clinician as diabetes insipidus. This type of tumor associated with diabetes insipidus is apparently rare, as is antemortem radiographic documentation of metastasis to the pituitary--hypothalamic region. A review of the ten-year experience of Loyola University Medical Center and Hines VA Hospital with the association of bronchogenic carcinoma and diabetes insipidus is presented with a brief review of metastic disease to the pituitary.