Extradural balloon obliteration of the empty sella report of three cases (intrasellar balloon obliteration).
Empty sella syndrome is an anatomical and clinical entity composed of intrasellar reposition of the CSF and compression of the pituitary tissue, resulting in a clinical picture of headache, visual field defect, CSF rhinorrhea and some mild endocrinological disturbances. While some cases are primary with no appreciable aetiology, secondary cases are associated with prior operation or radiotherapy of the region. In our series, 3 patients with primary empty sella syndrome were treated by the current approach of extradural filling of the sellar cavity. This technique was first described by Guiot and widely accepted thereafter. We used a detachable silicon balloon filled with HEMA or liquid silicone for obliteration of the sellar cavity and obtained clinically satisfactory results without complications. Visual symptoms regressed and headache disappeared. But at long term follow-up all the balloons were found to be deflated. Despite the facility and efficacy of the technique we do not recommend it in the treatment of the empty sella because the filling of the sella is only transient and relapses may occur.
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Istanbul Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Turkey.
N
N
Gazioğlu
Z
Z
Akar
H
H
Ak
C
C
Işlak
N
N
Koçer
M S
MS
Seçkin
C
C
Kuday
D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization; D004652:Empty Sella Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014794:Visual Fields