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Empty sella syndrome: an update

Pituitary, ISSN: 1573-7403, Vol: 28, Issue: 1, Page: 13
2025
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Article Description

Introduction: Empty sella is characterized by a flattened profile of the pituitary gland that represents in most cases only a radiological incidental finding. When endocrine, ophthalmic, and neurological symptoms occur, this condition is described as empty sella syndrome. Materials and methods: We searched MEDLINE (PubMed database) with the data filter 2024-2009 using the keywords listed above. The articles met the following inclusion criteria: 1) written in English; 2) published between 1 January 2009, and 31 December 2023; 3) original studies and case series on the epidemiology, characteristics, and treatment of empty sella and empty sella syndrome. Exclusion criteria included: articles written in languages other than English and single case report. Results: The incidence of empty sella is about 12%, when it comes to neuroimaging, while in clinical practice it can reach 35%. Endocrine pituitary disorders, defined as at least one hormone deficit, were reported in 19% to 40% of patients. Magnetic nuclear imaging (MRI) is confirmed to be the gold standard for radiological diagnosis of empty sella. If no alterations are detected it is suggested a careful revaluation at 24-36 months, in relation to the low risk of progression to PES syndrome. Conclusions: Empty sella is, in most cases, a radiological finding without clinical manifestations. In people carrying empty sella hormonal pituitary evaluation should be assessed at the moment of the diagnosis, along with a careful imaging using MRI.

Bibliographic Details

Padovano Sorrentino, Francesco; Chiloiro, Sabrina; Giampietro, Antonella; Bianchi, Antonio; Pontecorvi, Alfredo; De Marinis, Laura

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Medicine; Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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