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Empty sella in control subjects and patients with hypopituitarism
S Ishikawa1, M Furuse, T Saito
1Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi, Japan.
Endocrinologia Japonica
|October 1, 1988
Summary
Moderate empty sellae (grade 2+) are common in healthy individuals, but marked empty sellae (grade 3+) strongly indicate hypopituitarism. This suggests pituitary gland shrinkage due to hypofunction may cause empty sellae.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Radiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The empty sella is a radiological finding where the sella turcica appears partially or completely filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
- The association between empty sella and pituitary disorders, particularly hypopituitarism, requires further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and characteristics of empty sellae in individuals with and without pituitary disorders.
- To determine if empty sellae grading correlates with the presence and severity of hypopituitarism.
Main Methods:
- Sellar computed tomography (CT) with 2 mm slices was performed on 56 control subjects and 11 patients with hypopituitarism.
- CT findings of the sella turcica were graded (0, 1+, 2+, 3+), with grades 2+ and 3+ representing moderate and marked empty sellae.
Main Results:
- Thirty-nine percent of control subjects exhibited moderate (2+) or marked (3+) empty sellae.
- All 10 patients with hypopituitarism evaluated more than 2 years after onset showed marked (3+) empty sellae.
- One patient with hypopituitarism evaluated 3 months post-hemorrhage did not have an empty sella.
Conclusions:
- Moderate empty sellae (grade 2+) can be a normal finding in individuals without pituitary dysfunction.
- Marked empty sellae (grade 3+) are strongly associated with hypopituitarism and a normal-sized sella turcica.
- Pituitary gland shrinkage secondary to hypofunction is a likely cause of empty sellae in hypopituitarism.