Clinical and hormonal assessment of patients with empty sella on MRI

Journal Title: Postępy Nauk Medycznych - Year 2014, Vol 27, Issue 12

Abstract

Introduction. Empty sella is caused by the herniation of the subarachnoid space within the sella, which results in compression of pituitary gland. The image of empty sella may be an incidental finding on MRI in asymptomatic patients, but it can be also associated with severe neurological, ophthalmological and endocrine disorders.Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze clinical and hormonal data of patients with empty sella on MRI.Material and methods. We performed a retrospective review of the medical data of patients hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology in Bielański Hospital during one year searching for those with the diagnosis of empty sella. We collected data on the age, sex, causes of empty sella, results of pituitary function and we analysed the results of MRI of pituitary-hypothalamic region.Results. Among 1724 patients hospitalized in the Department 40 patients (2.3%) had empty sella on MRI. Twenty one (52.5%) patients were diagnosed with primary empty sella (PES) and 19 (47.5%) were diagnosed with secondary empty sella (SES). In patients with PES there were 16 (76.2%) females and 5 (23.8%) (3 to 1 ratio). More than half of PES females (53%) had a history of at least two pregnancies. The mean BMI in PES patients was 27.4 kg/m2. The mean age at diagnosis was 47.8 ± 14.6 years in the whole group. During the hormonal assessment 5 patients (23.8%) with PES were found to have some degree of anterior pituitary deficiency. The most frequent disorder (19%) was hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with symptoms of oligomenorrhoea in females and decreased sexual function in men. In seventeen patients (81%) in PES group MRI revealed partial empty sella (less than 50% of the sella filled with CSF) while in 4 patients (19%) total empty sella (more than 50% of sella filled with CSF).Conclusions. In our study, PES was more common in middle aged, overweight multiparous women. In most cases PES was incidentally discovered by imaging study, but in some it led to diagnosis of anterior pituitary deficiency during the diagnostic evaluation.

Authors and Affiliations

Maria Stelmachowska-Banaś, Izabella Czajka-Oraniec, Wojciech Zgliczyński

Keywords

Related Articles

Ocena zależności między stężeniem adiponektyny i składowymi zespołu metabolicznego u dzieci i młodzieży z otyłością prostą

Wstęp. Adiponektyna jest białkiem tkanki tłuszczowej pełniącym wiele funkcji i odgrywającym istotną rolę w patogenezie zespołu metabolicznego u dzieci.Cel pracy. Ocena zależności między stężeniem adiponektyny i zespołem...

The power of stereotypes. Findings of a pilot study on the psychosocial aspects and quality of life among patients with androgenetic alopecia

Introduction. Alopecia is an imbalance between hair growth and hair loss, characterised by excessive hair loss. The pathogenesis of male pattern alopecia is very complex. We live in a culture that rewards physical attrac...

Basic principles of gastrointestinal tract decontamination during acute poisoning

Decontamination plays a very important role in the treatment of acute poisoning. Vomiting, gastric lavage, administration of a suspension of activated charcoal or laxatives is to reduce the absorbed dose of poison, weakn...

Tyronaminy – dekarboksylowane pochodne hormonów tarczycy – nowa rodzina cząsteczek sygnałowych?

Tyronaminy (TAM) są powstającymi w wyniku dekarboksylacji pochodnymi hormonów tarczycy. Działają jako cząsteczki sygnałowe. Zostały po raz pierwszy opisane w latach pięćdziesiątych XX wieku, dla współczesnej nauki ponown...

Poziom samooceny i poziom ogólnego zadowolenia z życia wśród młodzieży z nadwagą i otyłością

Wstęp. Otyłość wśród nastolatków to coraz poważniejszy problem na całym świecie. Nadmiar masy ciała prowadzi do licznych problemów fizjologicznych i psychicznych. Strefa psychiczna jest szczególnie istotna, ponieważ w cz...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP54870
  • DOI -
  • Views 164
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Maria Stelmachowska-Banaś, Izabella Czajka-Oraniec, Wojciech Zgliczyński (2014). Clinical and hormonal assessment of patients with empty sella on MRI. Postępy Nauk Medycznych, 27(12), -. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-54870