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Empty sella syndrome: Multiple endocrine disorders.

Sabrina Chiloiro¹, Antonella Giampietro¹, Antonio Bianchi¹

¹Pituitary Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology

|July 9, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Empty sella is a pituitary disorder where the sella turcica fills with cerebrospinal fluid. While often asymptomatic, empty sella syndrome can cause hormonal dysfunction and neurological symptoms, requiring expert multidisciplinary care.

Keywords:

Empty sella Empty sella syndrome Hyperprolactinemia Hypopituitarism Intracranial idiopathic hypertension

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Area of Science:

Neuroendocrinology
Neuroradiology
Pituitary Disorders

Background:

Empty sella involves subarachnoid space herniation into the sella turcica, potentially flattening the pituitary gland.
It presents as primary (idiopathic) or secondary, with secondary causes including pituitary tumor treatments, necrosis, infections, autoimmune diseases, or trauma.
Often an incidental radiological finding, it can be associated with hormonal dysfunction and neurological symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

To define and differentiate primary and secondary empty sella.
To elucidate the clinical implications and potential complications of empty sella.
To advocate for a multidisciplinary approach in managing empty sella syndrome.

Main Methods:

Review of neuroradiological findings in empty sella.
Analysis of clinical presentations, including hormonal status and neurological symptoms.
Correlation of imaging findings with clinical manifestations and patient history.

Main Results:

Primary empty sella is idiopathic and may coexist with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Secondary empty sella arises from various pituitary pathologies and treatments.
Empty sella syndrome is diagnosed when pituitary hormonal dysfunction or neurological symptoms are present.

Conclusions:

Empty sella syndrome is a heterogeneous condition with variable clinical and hormonal alterations.
A multidisciplinary approach involving endocrinology, neurology, and ophthalmology is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Prompt recognition and management are essential for patients experiencing hormonal or neurological deficits.