Adrenocorticotrophic and Growth Hormone Secretion: Studies During Pneumoencephalography

The effect of pneumoencephalography on plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) adrenocorticotrophic (ACTH) and growth hormone concentrations was studied in patients with and without hypothalamicpituitary disorders. In those without hypothalamic-pituitary disease, basal plasma and CSF ACTH levels were approximately equal, whereas plasma growth hormone levels were higher than CSF levels. Associated with the stress of the procedure, both ACTH and growth hormone concentrations increased in the plasma without a corresponding change in CSF levels of these two hormones. In two patients with suprasellar extension of either an ACTH or growth hormone secreting pituitary tumor, basal CSF ACTH or growth hormone levels were higher than in those without suprasellar extension. In contrast, those patients with nonendocrine active pituitary tumors that extended above the sella turcica did not have elevation of CSF ACTH or growth hormone levels.