deamino-arginine-vasopressin and Neoplasms--Germ-Cell-and-Embryonal

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is a complex and heterogeneous clinical syndrome affecting the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal network and water balance. A recent national surveillance in Denmark showed a prevalence rate of twenty-three CDI patients per 100,000 inhabitants in five years. The differential diagnosis between several presenting conditions with polyuria and polydipsia is puzzling, and the etiological diagnosis of CDI remains a challenge before the identification of an underlying cause. For clinical practice, a timely diagnosis for initiating specific treatment in order to avoid central nervous system damage, additional pituitary defects and the risk of dissemination of germ cell tumor is advisable. Proper etiological diagnosis can be achieved via a series of steps that start with careful clinical observation of several signs and endocrine symptoms and then progress to more sophisticated imaging tools. This review summarizes the best practice and approach for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with CDI.

Topics: Antidiuretic Agents; Brain Injuries; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Deamino Arginine Vasopressin; Diabetes Insipidus; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Management; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal

Patients with intracranial germ cell tumor (IGCT) often present with pituitary dysfunction, including diabetes insipidus (DI). Recent protocols have used pre-radiation chemotherapy with combinations of etoposide, carboplatin and/or cisplatin, and ifosfamide. Management of DI in these patients requires monitoring of electrolytes and fluids during chemotherapy and hyperhydration. All consecutive patients treated with chemotherapy for an IGCT during the period 1990-2007 at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto were reviewed. Out of 32 patients who received chemotherapy, 21 had DI. Only cycles containing cisplatin and/or ifosfamide and hyperhydration were considered. DI and non-DI patients were compared for each cycle of chemotherapy. Patients were studied for number of days in hospital per chemotherapy course, daily fluid input and output, changes in dose, schedule and route of administration of desmopressin (DDAVP) during chemotherapy, daily variations in sodium level, electrolyte monitoring requirements per day, and complications related to fluid and electrolyte disturbances. Fifty-four cycles of chemotherapy in DI patients were compared to 25 cycles in non DI patients. All 21 patients with DI required daily change in dosage and schedule of DDAVP. Marked variations in daily sodium level were observed in the DI group. Seventeen courses required prolonged admission in the DI group (one in non DI patients) and 6 patients experienced serious complications. In conclusion, DI is a risk factor for complications when cisplatin and/or ifosfamide based protocols are used. The role of these agents in the management of ICGT should be carefully evaluated and guidelines for management of DI established.

Topics: Adolescent; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Cisplatin; Cohort Studies; Deamino Arginine Vasopressin; Diabetes Insipidus; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Ifosfamide; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Retrospective Studies; Sodium; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome