Empty sella syndrome (Last Updated - 1/17/2003)
-caused by any condition which destroys part or all of the pituitary
-char. by presence of enlarged empty sella turcica not filled w/ pituitary tissue
-2 types:
   1) Primary:
      -defect in diaphragm sellae allowing arachnoid mater & CSF to herniate into the sella
         resulting in expansion of the sella & pituitary compression
      -classically affex obese women w/ history of multiple pregnancies
      -may be assoc. w/ visual field defects, endocrine anomalies (Ex) hyperprolactinemia)
         due to interrupted inhibitory hypothalamic effex
      -rarely assoc. w/ hypopituitarism b/c there is a sufficient remaining parenchyma
   2) Secondary:
      -a mass enlarges the sella & is then removed (via surgery) or shrunken (via radiation)
      -can result in hypopituitarism

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References:

1) Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease: 6th Edition, 1999. Pg. 1128.