[The primary empty sella syndrome. A case report study (author's transl)].

Abstract

The empty sella results from an extension of the subarachnoid space into an intrasellar position with subsequent remodeling of the sella turcica and the flattening of the pituitary gland. The sella turcica is usually enlarged causing the greatest diagnostic difficulty to distinguish it from a pituitary tumor. The most patients with this syndrome usually have normal pituitary function, while about 30% have varying degrees of hypopituitarism. The Authors describe a case report of a man with primary empty sella syndrome come to the medical observation for obesity and hyperglyccemia. The endocrine evaluation performed (TRH test, GN-RH test, T3, T4, FT3, FT4, Arginine test, metyrapone test) were normal. OGTT shows a maturity onset diabetes (glycemia = 160 mg%). This rare clinical association is not well understood. Probably this diabetes is to the interruption of the normal hypothalamo-pituitary neurovascular connection.