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Related Experiment Videos

Empty sella and headache

T Catarci1, F Fiacco, L Bozzao

  • 1Department of Neuroscience (Vth Neurological Clinic, Prof. G.L. Lenzi), La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.

Headache
|November 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Primary empty sella (PES) can cause daily headaches, often anteriorly located, in middle-aged women. Endocrine issues are uncommon, but obesity is frequent, suggesting PES should be considered in relevant patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Endocrinology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Primary empty sella (PES) is an anatomical variation where the subarachnoid space herniates into the pituitary fossa.
  • Headache is a commonly reported symptom associated with PES.
  • The relationship between PES and headache characteristics, along with endocrine status, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the headache characteristics in patients with primary empty sella.
  • To assess plasma hormone levels in patients with PES and associated headaches.
  • To determine the clinical relevance of PES in patients presenting with headaches.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 13 patients (12 female, 1 male) with PES diagnosed via CT scan.
  • Detailed analysis of headache characteristics, including frequency and location.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Measurement of plasma levels of pituitary hormones and cortisol.

    • Main Results:

    • The majority of patients experienced daily headaches, predominantly localized anteriorly.
    • Headache characteristics in PES were found to be nonspecific.
    • All assessed patients had normal plasma hormone levels, but four had prior endocrine disorders.
    • Over half of the patients were obese.

    Conclusions:

    • Primary empty sella should be suspected in middle-aged, overweight women presenting with daily headaches, even without overt endocrine symptoms.
    • The study highlights the nonspecific nature of headaches in PES.
    • Obesity and a history of endocrine disorders may be associated factors in some PES patients.