Endoscopic transsphenoidal treatment of empty sella turcica syndrome using a silastic coil

An empty sella turcica is due to the presence of an arachnoid diverticulum with its fluid content in the sella turcica, exerting pressure on the pituitary gland. In most cases this condition has an asymptomatic course, and is discovered by accident. Some patients, however, develop empty sella turcica syndrome with headaches, mild dishormonose, dysopsia and, rarely, spontaneous rhinorrhoea. Surgical treatment of empty sella turcica consists of filling the sella, through the transsphenoid route, with tissues collected from the patient or with artificial material. The aim of this report is to present our own experience of endoscopic extradural sella elevation using a silicone spiral, in 4 patients with primary empty sella turcica syndrome. The main indication for surgery was progressing dysopsia. The microinvasive endoscopic transsphenoidal method has been used, based upon the Jho technique with our own modifications. For the elevation of the sella, we used a coiled section of a Pudenz valve intraventricular silicone drain, adjusting its size to the dimensions of the operated sella. Both the implantation of the helix, and the postoperative course were uncomplicated for all surgically treated patients. The follow-up of several months confirmed improvement of the dysopsia in all surgically treated patients. MR examinations confirmed the correct location of the silicone spiral placed in the sella. It seems that the good results achieved are due to a correct indication for surgical treatment. The follow-up period ranges from 12 to 30 months and, so far, the clinical improvement is stable and satisfying both for the patients who underwent treatment and for the neurosurgeons.