[Magnetic resonance in familial central diabetes insipidus: a family study].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate through MR the presence or absence of the normal hyper-intense signal of the posterior pituitary lobe in four patients diagnosed of familial central diabetes insipidus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The posterior pituitary lobe was studied by magnetic resonance imaging in four patients, three children and one adult, diagnosed of familiar central diabetes insipidus.

RESULTS

In none of the four patients could the normal posterior bright signal be detected.

CONCLUSION

The normal hyper-intense MR image of the neurohypophysis is suggested to reflect its function and its absence is frequent in patients diagnosed of familial central diabetes insipidus.