Endocrine disturbances in empty sella syndrome: case reports and review of literature.
OBJECTIVE
To report 5 cases of empty sella syndrome (ESS) manifesting with various degrees of pituitary dysfunction.


METHODS
We describe the initial manifestations in 5 patients with primary ESS and in previous cases of ESS reported in the English language literature.


RESULTS
Review of our recent medical records identified 5 patients referred for evaluation of pituitary deficiencies in whom ESS was diagnosed. Glucocorticoid replacement was required in 3 patients, 2 of whom presented initially with symptoms of severe glucocorticoid deficiency. In each case, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated an empty sella.


CONCLUSIONS
Our cases suggest that endocrine abnormalities are not rare as the initial manifestation of ESS and that, contrary to many studies in the literature, the endocrine abnormalities may be quite severe.
Durodoye
Oluyemisi M
OM
Department of Internal Medicine, Huron Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Mendlovic
Daniel B
DB
Brenner
Robert S
RS
Morrow
Jay S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D004652:Empty Sella Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010900:Pituitary Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D005938:Glucocorticoids