empty sella syndrome


empty sella syndrome

 a syndrome diagnosed radiologically in which the diaphragm of the sella turcica is vestigial, the sella turcica forms an extension of the subarachnoid space and is filled with cerebrospinal fluid, and the pituitary fossa appears to be empty, although the pituitary gland is present in a flattened form.
The finding of a moderately enlarged sella turcica, due to a partial/complete absence of the sellar diaphragm. ESS is an anatomic state characterised by an invagination of the arachnoid membrane space into the pituitary fossa, resulting in compression of the pituitary against the floor and posterior wall of the sella, by the extended suprasellar cisterns and expanded sella. It may be accompanied by pituitary hypofunction, although TSH, gonadotropin, and prolactin levels may be decreased and/or accompanied by diabetes insipidus

empty sella syndrome

Empty sella turcica, intrasellar arachnocele Neuroradiology The finding of a moderately enlarged sella turcica, due to a partial/complete absence of sellar diaphragm; it is most common in obese, middle-aged ♀; compression of hypophysis against the floor and posterior wall of the sella, by the extended suprasellar cisterns may be accompanied by pituitary hypofunction, although TSH, gonadotropin, and prolactin levels may be ↓ and/or accompanied by diabetes insipidus Clinical Vague headaches, systemic HTN, pseudotumor cerebri; if secondary, CSF rhinorrhea, but may be asymptomatic

empty sella syndrome

The radiological appearance suggesting that the hollow on top of the SPHENOID bone, the sella turcica (Turkish saddle), which normally contains the PITUITARY GLAND, is enlarged and empty. The appearance is often associated with complete normality but may indicate a pituitary tumour, atrophy of the pituitary gland, harmless herniation of the arachnoid layer of the meninges into the sella, or BENIGN INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION.