Diagnosis of primary empty sella syndrome by computed tomography

Eight cases of primary empty sella diagnosed on pneumoencephalography (PEG) were examined using computed tomography (CT). The diagnosis was made correctly in every case and it was possible to differentiate an empty sella from a pituitary adenoma. Slices 5 mm thick and an overlapping technique were necessary because of the small volume of the tissues analysed. PEG does not seem to be necessary in most cases of suspected intrasellar cisternal herniation, and it is needed only in the difficult case in which the clinical picture and the CT finding are not in harmony.