If there are symptoms, people with empty sella syndrome can have headaches and vision loss. Additional symptoms would be associated withhypopituitarism.[3][4]Additional symptoms are as follows:[citation needed]
The cause of this condition is divided into primary and secondary, as follows:
The cause of this condition in terms ofsecondary empty sella syndrome happens when atumor or surgery damages the gland, this is an acquired manner of the condition.[1]
The normal mechanism of the pituitary gland sees that it controls thehormonal system, which therefore has an effect on growth, sexual development, andadrenocortical function. The gland is divided intoanterior andposterior.[7]
Its pathophysiology is such that individuals affected with the condition can havecerebrospinal fluid build-up, which in turn causesintracranial pressure leading toheadaches for the individual.[8]
The diagnosis of empty sella syndrome, done via examination (and test), may be linked toearly onset of puberty,growth hormone deficiency, or pituitary gland dysfunction (at an early age).[2] Additionally there is:
There are two types of empty sella syndrome:primary andsecondary.
Primary empty sella syndrome occurs when a small anatomical defect above the pituitary gland increases pressure in the sella turcica and causes the gland to flatten out along the interior walls of the sella turcica cavity.[3] Primary empty sella syndrome is associated withobesity and increase in intracranial pressure in women.[9] In most cases, especially in people with primary empty sella syndrome, there are no symptoms and it does not affect life expectancy or health. Some researchers have estimated that less than 1% of affected people ever develop symptoms of the condition.[3]
Secondary empty sella syndrome is the result of the pituitary gland regressing within the cavity after aninjury,surgery, orradiation therapy.[3] Individuals with secondary empty sella syndrome due to destruction of the pituitary gland have symptoms that reflect the loss of pituitary functions, such as intolerance to stress and infection.[medical citation needed]
The major differential to consider in empty sella syndrome isintracranial hypertension, of bothunknown and secondary causes, and anepidermoid cyst, which can mimic cerebrospinal fluid due to its low density onCT scans, althoughMRI can usually distinguish the latter diagnosis.[10]
In terms of management, unless the syndrome results in other medical problems, treatment forendocrine dysfunction associated with pituitary malfunction is symptomatic and thus supportive; however, surgery may be needed in some cases.[2]
