The Primary Empty Sella Syndrome

Abstract

EMPTY sella syndrome occurs when the suprasellar subarachnoid space extends into the sella turcica. The primary syndrome presents in a patient with no prior history of pituitary radiation or surgery,¹is benign, and requires no therapy unless there is progressive visual field loss, rhinorrhea, or an associated microadenoma.²The correct diagnosis is crucial to avoid unnecessary surgical or radiation therapy for a suspected intrasellar tumor. The radiological evaluation has recently improved with the use of intrathecal metrizamide (Amipaque) and computed tomography (CT).^3-5This report presents a case of the primary empty sella syndrome with associated bitemporal visual field defects definitively diagnosed with metrizamide cisternography and correlative CT. Also, the endocrinologic presentation of this syndrome with associated visual field defects is further defined. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> A 32-year-old, healthy married woman had "floating spots" in her eyes for three years and recent onset of blurring vision. She