Comparison of central diabetes insipidus (antidiuretic hormone deficiency) and stalk effect in patients with adamantinomatous and papillary craniopharyngioma

Craniopharyngioma (CP), a rare benign intracranial tumor, is still a major clinical challenge. There are two major histologic phenotypes: papillary CP (PCP) and adamantinomatous CP (ACP). This research aimed to assess the occurrence of central diabetes insipidus (antidiuretic hormone deficiency), the level of prolactin, and the stalk effect between PCP and ACP subtypes prior to and after surgery. Clinical data of CP patients before and after surgical resection of the tumor were analyzed retrospectively. These patients were divided into PCP and ACP groups, in accordance with the pathologic classification. The data of prolactin level, 24-h urinary volume, urine specific gravity and electrolyte status before and after surgery were evaluated in these two CP subtypes. A total of 86 CP patients were included, among which 28 patients were PCP and 58 were ACP. Compared to those prior to surgery, 24-h urine volume, serum sodium and serum chlorine concentrations were obviously increased, while prolactin and urine specific gravity were remarkably decreased in all the CP patients after surgery. Compared to those before operation, prolactin level and urine specific gravity were decreased, and 24-h urine volume, serum sodium and serum chlorine were elevated after operation in ACP patients. Moreover, after surgery, 24-h urine volume in PCP patients was higher than that in ACP group. The central diabetes insipidus in patients with CP was aggravated after surgical resection, especially in ACP patients. Moreover, the central diabetes insipidus of PCP subtype was more serious than that of ACP subtype.