Related Experiment Videos
Empty sella syndrome and growth deficiency in childhood
F Querci1, O Cattaneo, F Sileo
1Division of Endocrinology, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, Italy.
Helvetica Paediatrica Acta
|June 1, 1987
Insights
Empty sella syndrome in children often links to growth and neuroendocrine disorders. This condition may be more common in childhood than previously thought.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Radiology
Background:
- Empty sella syndrome (ESS) is a condition where the pituitary gland is not fully developed within the sella turcica.
- While often asymptomatic in adults, its presentation in pediatric populations warrants further investigation.
Observation:
- This study details four pediatric cases of empty sella syndrome.
- All reported cases were associated with significant growth and neuroendocrine abnormalities.
Findings:
- Empty sella syndrome appears to be more frequently associated with endocrine disorders in children compared to adults.
- The prevalence of ESS in pediatric patients with endocrine dysfunction may be underestimated.
Implications:
- Early recognition of ESS in children with growth or neuroendocrine issues is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
- Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and true prevalence of ESS in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
We describe four cases of empty sella syndrome in childhood associated with growth and neuroendocrine disorders. We note that empty sella syndrome probably presents with endocrine disorders more often in childhood than in adults and that its frequency seems to be underestimated.