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Empty Sella Syndrome

Michelle Moran McDonough, MD and Keith L Stelter, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Normally, the pituitary gland sits in a small compartment of the sphenoid bone at the base of the skull known as the sella turcica (Latin for “Turkish saddle”).

  • In empty sella syndrom...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • History and physical are most commonly normal in those with empty sella syndrome.

  • The most common complaint is headache (60–80%) with no specific clinical features. Some theorize this ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Weight loss has been shown to be positively correlated with reduction of intracranial pressure. 

MEDICATION

  • Treat only if the pituitary function is abnormal. Each endocrine dis...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • In patients with traumatic brain injury or status post surgery or radiation in proximity of the pituitary gland, it is important to monitor pitu...

REFERENCES

1
Carosi G, Brunetti A, Mangone A, et al. A multicenter cohort study in patients with primary empty sella: hormonal and neuroradiological features over a long follow-up. Front Endocrinol (La...

SEE ALSO

Pseudotumor Cerebri (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension) 

CODES

ICD10

E23.6 Other disorders of pituitary gland 

SNOMED

  • 237722004 Empty sella syndrome

  • 91187007 pituitary dwarfism with small sella turcica (disorder)

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • An incidental finding of empty sella on MRI or CT warrants a thorough history and physical exam to evaluate for signs or symptoms of hypopituitarism, with appropriate lab studies.

  • Hypop...

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