Coexisting pituitary adenomas and partially empty sellas

Area of Science:

• Neuroendocrinology
• Neurosurgery
• Radiology

Background:

• Partially empty sella is a condition where the pituitary gland occupies less than the normal volume of the pituitary fossa.
• Secreting pituitary adenomas are tumors that produce excess hormones.
• The coexistence of these two conditions presents diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between secreting pituitary adenomas and partially empty sellas.
• To determine if the location of cisternal invagination predicts tumor location.
• To clarify diagnostic considerations in patients with both conditions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of seventeen cases with coexisting secreting pituitary adenomas and partially empty sellas.
• Analysis of imaging findings, including cisternal invagination into the sella.
• Correlation of imaging findings with clinical and endocrine data.

Main Results:

• Seventeen cases of concurrent secreting pituitary adenomas and partially empty sellas were identified.
• The location of cisternal invagination did not reliably predict the location of the pituitary adenoma.
• Endocrine indications of a secreting pituitary neoplasm were present in these patients.

Conclusions:

• A partially empty sella should not be a contraindication for diagnosing a secreting pituitary adenoma.
• Careful endocrine evaluation is crucial in patients with partially empty sellas and suspected pituitary neoplasms.
• Further research may elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying this coexistence.