Partial Empty Sella Syndrome Presenting with Panhypopituitarism and Masked Central Diabetes Insipidus

Abstract

Empty sella syndrome (ESS) is an uncommon cause of hypopituitarism. It is usually detected incidentally or with neurological symptoms whereas it is rare to present with symptomatic endocrine dysfunction. A 48-year old previously healthy man presented with generalized body weakness, lethargy, fatigue and pos­tural dizziness of one month with no headache or visual disturbance. He also had features suggestive of hypo­gonadism and hypothyroidism. Panhypopitutarism secondary to partial ESS was diagnosed based on pituitary hormone testing and MRI brain. After starting glucocorticoid (GC) replacement patient developed polyuria and polydipsia and was diagnosed to have partial central diabetes insipidus (DI). He was successfully treated with hydrocortisone, thyroxin, intranasal vasopressin and testosterone. ESS causes significant pituitary dysfunction in considerable proportion of patients.