What does it mean to have an empty sella?

Empty sella syndrome is a condition in which the pituitary gland shrinks or becomes flattened. The pituitary is a gland attached to the base of the brain. The pituitary secretes hormones that regulate the body’s balance of many hormones controlling growth, development, and metabolism of the body.

What does empty sella look like on MRI?

When the pituitary gland shrinks or becomes flattened, it cannot be seen on an MRI scan. This makes the area of the pituitary gland look like an “empty sella.” But the sella is not actually empty. It is often filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

How common is a partially empty sella?

Either the gland has shrunk or has been crushed and flattened making it look like an empty sella on MRI scan. The reported prevalence of primary empty sella in general population is 8–35 %. The incidence is more in females, the ratio being 5:1. It is generally found in middle aged women who are obese and hypertensive.

Is empty sella syndrome a disability?

Social Security doesn’t have a specific listing for empty sella syndrome. But if you’re experiencing severe symptoms like chronic headaches, extreme fatigue, and vision problems, Social Security might consider your limitations as serious as those in listing 11.05 for benign brain tumors.

Can empty sella cause headaches?

Empty sella is an anatomical condition caused by herniation of the subarachnoid space into the pituitary fossa through an incompetent sellar diaphragm. Headache seems to be one of the most frequently reported symptoms.

Can empty sella cause depression?

Empty sella syndrome is a rare condition that describes an abnormality of the sella turcica, a depression in the bone at the base of the skull where the pituitary gland is contained.

How rare is empty sella?

Empty Sella Syndrome (ESS) is a disorder that involves the sella turcica, a bony structure at the base of the brain that surrounds and protects the pituitary gland. ESS is often discovered during radiological imaging tests for pituitary disorders. ESS occurs in up to 25 percent of the population.

Is empty sella reversible?

Conclusions: The case here reported demonstrates that an empty sella can be a reversible condition in rare cases. Its disappearance can be due to the reduction in intracranial pressure caused by the lumbar puncture itself.

Can empty sella cause dizziness?

Background. Primary empty sella is a herniation of the sellar diaphragm into the pituitary space. It is an incidental finding and patients may manifest neurological, ophthalmological and/or endocrine disorders. Episodes of vertigo, dizziness, and hearing loss, have been reported.