Development of Diabetic Complications despite the Absence of Growth Hormone in a Patient with Post-Pancreatectomy Diabetes

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Abstract
IN 1953 Poulsen described a patient with diabetes mellitus in whom retinopathy was ameliorated after postpartum pituitary infarction.1 He pointed out the possible analogy of the events in his patient to the observation of Houssay that experimental diabetes in animals was modified by hypophysectomy.2 Poulsen cautioned against extrapolating his observations to clinical areas.1 Nevertheless, the hypothesis was advanced that some pituitary factor, possibly growth hormone, might be implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.3 Over the next two decades, many hundreds of diabetic patients underwent some form of therapy designed to ablate or reduce pituitary function.3 Although a beneficial effect . . .