Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function in pituitary adenoma and craniopharyngioma. Part I: Insulin test, lysine-vasopressin test, and rapid ACTH test.

For the assessment of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function in the presence of pituitary adenomas and craniopharyngiomas, insulin tests, lysine-vasopressin tests, and rapid ACTH tests were performed and plasma cortisol was assayed. Rapid ACTH test and lysine-vasopressin test, which examine adrenal and mainly pituitary function respectively, showed normal function in ten among 14 cases. But insulin test, which examines the whole hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function, showed various levels of abnormality in eight among 14 cases. Frequent association of functional disturbances of this axis in these diseases was stressed.