Posterior pituitary abnormalities caused by pituitary tumors

The posterior pituitary gland tightly controls water balance. Before surgery, pituitary adenomas-no matter how large-almost never cause diabetes insipidus, and very rarely cause the syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH). Conversely, disorders of water metabolism are a relatively common complication of surgery for pituitary adenomas. These abnormalities are most often transient, but require careful monitoring and expert management in order to avoid potentially dangerous abrupt variations of blood sodium levels. In this article we will review such abnormalities, and the best way to diagnose and treat them promptly.