Empty sella resulting from the spontaneous resolution of a pituitary macroadenoma.
Recent studies suggest that the infarction of a pituitary adenoma may be a frequent cause of an empty sella turcica. However, to date, evidence of such progression has been largely speculative. We present the case of a patient with a pituitary macroadenoma that underwent spontaneous involution resulting in an empty sella, as documented by serial magnetic resonance imaging scans. A brief review of the proposed causes of primary empty sella, with emphasis on pituitary necrosis, is provided.
Department of Medicine, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.
D B
DB
Robinson
R D
RD
Michaels
D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004652:Empty Sella Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009336:Necrosis; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000473:pathology; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology