[Empty sella syndrome as the cause of panhypopituitarism].
In two patients, men aged 78 and 42 years respectively, an empty-sella syndrome was found. The first patient presented with chronic fatigue, in the second the empty sella was the late result of prior neurosurgery followed by external irradiation. Both suffered from panhypopituitarism. In both cases the diagnosis was confirmed following laboratory tests and MRI. Hormone-replacement therapy was found to provide adequate treatment. The course of the empty-sella syndrome is usually benign and with adequate hormone-replacement therapy a good quality of life is maintained.
Rennenberg
R J
RJ
Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, Postbus 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht. rennen007@yahoo.com
Bravenboer
B
B
Wolffenbuttel
B H
BH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004652:Empty Sella Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome