Empty sella syndrome

Abstract

An empty sella (ES) develops when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fills the sella turcica and compresses pituitary tissue until it lines the sellar floor and walls. Primary ES occurs when CSF enters the sella through a rent in the sellar diaphragm that may or may not be associated with increased intracranial pressure. Secondary ES is a result of an injury to the pituitary itself (e.g., pituitary apoplexy) or the consequence of surgical or radiation treatment. In adults, ES is most commonly found in older, obese, hypertensive, multiparous women and may be asymptomatic. In children, however, ES is more likely to be associated with clinical symptoms and endocrinopathies, particularly growth hormone deficiency, hypogonadotropism, or multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies. The incidence of ES in children varies greatly depending on the population surveyed, ranging from 1.2% (children without endocrine symptoms) to 68% (children with known endocrinopathy). Children with a finding of ES require endocrinologic and ophthalmologic evaluation. Treatment of ES includes replacement of hormone deficiencies and occasionally surgical measures to relieve obstructive intracranial lesions.