Transient central diabetes insipidus in pregnancy with a peculiar change in signal intensity on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images

Intern Med. 2003 Jun;42(6):513-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.42.513.

Abstract

A 38-year-old woman was admitted with severe thirst and polyuria at 31 weeks' gestation. The plasma concentration of vasopressin (AVP) was very low (0.73 pg/ml) under conditions of high plasma osmolality (316 mOsm/ kg). T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed enlargement of the pituitary posterior lobe with absence of the hyperintense signal. After delivery, restoration of the hyperintense signal was demonstrated. This depletion-repletion process, which reflects the decrease and increase in amount of neurosecretory granules, is recognized in the case of transient central diabetes insipidus during pregnancy. We consider that an increase in cystine-aminopeptidase (CAP) activity is implicated in the pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia / metabolism
  • Hyperplasia / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Pituitary Gland, Posterior / metabolism
  • Pituitary Gland, Posterior / pathology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Risk Assessment
  • Vasopressins / blood

Substances

  • Vasopressins