*Central (hypothalamic-pituitary)
*Renal
Central diabetes insipidus is caused by deficient or absent secretion and antidiuretic hormone (ADH, vasopressin) by the neurohypophysis.
The clinical syndrome typically begins with the sudden onset of polyuria and polydipsia. These two symptoms are the hallmarks of central diabetes insipidus. These symptoms are usually present at night as well. As long as the patient can keep up an adequate water intake, there is no danger of dehydration.
When the central diabetes insipidus is associated with hypothalamic lesions and hypodipsia, these patients will present with hypernatremia and a urine osmolality above plasma.
Trauma, surgical procedures in the area of the pituitary or hypothalamus, and brain neoplasms, either primary or secondary, constitute most of the remaining causes of central diabetes insipidus.
Central diabetes insipidus is classified into three categories: familial, secondary and idiopathic, according to the causes.
Central diabetes insipidus
