[Hypophysis compression syndrome in the sella turcica: mechanisms of development, pathology]

Intrasellar hypertension--a phenomenon of the hypophysis compression in the sella turcica-was described 13 years ago. It develops under stressor conditions and is probably one of the causes of frequent in critical situations (shock, collapse, coma, etc.) episodes of acute hypophyseo-adrenal failure. Intrasellar hypertension morphologically manifests by the volume unbalance between a suddenly increasing, 1.5-2 times, hypophysis (due to adenocyte hypertrophy, hyperemia, colloid retention) on the one hand, and its rigid capsule and sella turcica, on the other. Extrahypophyseal factors (high liquid and venous pressure) may take part in developing of this phenomenon due to hypophysis squeezing from outside.