[A case of pulmonary embolism with diabetes insipidus developed after removal of craniopharyngioma].

A case of pulmonary embolism associated with diabetes insipidus is reported in an 18-year-old male. The patient, who had been treated with DDAVP for diabetes insipidus and hydrocortisone for hypocorticism for two years after first operation for the removal of craniopharyngioma, was admitted with recurrence of that tumor. Diabetes insipidus immediately after second operation was controlled with intermittent drip infusion of a small amount of aqueous pitressin under monitorings of body weight hourly using a patient weighing system to keep the weight changes within +/- one kilogram. Serum and urine electrolytes levels, osmolarity, and free water clearance were also monitored every three hours to maintain water-electrolytes balances appropriately. Postoperative course had been uneventful except that CSF rhinorrhea occurred 7 days after operation. The patient was, then, kept in bed with horizontal plane to avoid further leakage of CSF. Two days later, he developed chest pain suddenly with tachypnea, tachycardia, and general cyanosis. The arterial-BGA showed PaO2 of 53.5mmHg and PaCO2 of 35.3mmHg in room air. The definite diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was made by technetium microaggregate lung perfusion scans and by pulmonary angiograms. The patient was treated with heparin, 15000IU/day, and urokinase, 720000IU/day. The symptoms due to pulmonary embolism had improved gradually within a couple of weeks. Recent articles have shown an unexpected high incidence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in neurosurgical patients associated with the elevation of blood coagulability. Brain tumors, especially suprasellar mass with hypothalamic dysfunction have been suggested to cause thromboembolic disorders frequently. The clinical course was described and factors causing pulmonary embolism on this patient was discussed.