Sella Turcica Size in Women with Sheehan Syndrome-A Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Radiology
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Sheehan syndrome is a frequent cause of hypopituitarism, particularly in developing nations.
• Postpartum hemorrhage is a known risk factor, with smaller sellar volume also implicated in pituitary necrosis.
• Previous studies on sellar volume in Sheehan syndrome were limited by small sample sizes and lack of matched controls.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sellar volume in a large cohort of Sheehan syndrome patients.
• To compare sellar volume in Sheehan syndrome patients with age- and parity-matched controls.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 50 women diagnosed with Sheehan syndrome was studied.
• An equal number of age- and parity-matched healthy women served as controls.
• All participants underwent baseline investigations, hormonal assays, and pituitary MRI.

Main Results:

• Sellar volume was significantly reduced in Sheehan syndrome patients (334.50 ± 129.08 mm³ vs. 456.64 ± 169.25 mm³ in controls, P = 0.000).
• A higher proportion of Sheehan syndrome patients (40%) exhibited decreased sellar volume compared to controls (12%).

Conclusions:

• Sheehan syndrome patients possess a smaller sellar volume.
• This smaller sellar volume may represent a non-modifiable risk factor contributing to postpartum pituitary necrosis.