Empty sella syndrome

The Empty Sella Syndrome (ESS; syndrome of the empty sella turcica ) is a relatively common disease or anatomical variant of the norm in which there is a hernia -like, stuffed of cerebrospinal fluid extension of the subarachnoid space ( Arachnoidozele ) comes into the sella turcica into it. As a result of compression of the pituitary gland located here can lead to endocrine disorders.

Epidemiology

Corresponding changes are found in unselected autopsies in about five percent of cases.

Etiology

This is based on the primary form of Empty sella syndrome is a poorly trained diaphragm sellae (share of the dura mater, the sella turcica spans and the pituitary gland from the base of the brain to separate), with the subarachnoid space, the CSF pressure yielding, in the Sella inside expands. The secondary form of the disease can occur in the wake of necrosis, infarction, surgery or therapeutic irradiation.

Pathology

Morphologically apparent within a frequently enlarged sella a shell-like transformed, displaced to the edge and druckatrophische pituitary.

Clinic

The Empty sella syndrome is often asymptomatic in its primary form, and is sometimes considered insofar as anatomical normal variant. However, it can also be accompanied by obesity, high blood pressure, headaches and endocrine dysfunctions such as hyperprolactinemia, a central diabetes insipidus, a hypopituitarism hypothalamic hypothyroidism or hypogonadism.