Empty sella syndrome is a disorder involving sella turcica, a bony structure in the base4 of skull which holds pituitary gland. Persons with empty sella turcica will have defect in the tissue barrier that normally keeps the cerebrospinal fluid around the brain separate from sella turcica. Due to this the cerebrospinal fluid increases pressure on the pituitary gland and the walls of the sella turcica. The sella turcica may enlarge and the pituitary gland may shrink.
It is mainly common in middle aged women who are overweight and who have high blood pressure. It commonly occurs after pituitary surgery, radiation therapy or infarction of a pituitary tumor.
Types |
Primary sella turcica syndrome |
Secondary sella turcica syndrome |
Causes |
It occurs when a hole in the membrane surrounding pituitary glands allows fluid in and presses on the pituitary. |
It occurs when the sella is empty when the pituitary gland is damaged by a tumor, radiation therapy and surgery. |
Symptoms and signs |
Erectile dysfunction, irregular or absent menstruation, low sexual desire, low libido, symptoms resulting from high prolactin levels |
Partial or complete loss of pituitary gland function |
Diagnosis |
CT scan of brain, MRI scan brain, and pituitary function is usually normal. Prolactin may be slightly high |
CT scan brain, MRI brain |
Treatment |
There is no requirement for the treatment if the pituitary is normal. Medications like bromocriptine can be given to de crease the high prolactin levels |
Treatment involves replacement of the hormones which is lacking. |