Often, there are no symptoms or loss of pituitary function.

Patients with empty sella syndrome may have symptoms caused by a partial or complete loss of pituitary gland function. For more information, see hypopituitarism.

Symptoms include:

• Erectile dysfunction (impotence)
• Headaches
• Irregular or absent menstruation
• Low sexual desire (low libido)
• Nipple discharge

Primary empty sella syndrome is most often discovered during radiological imaging of the brain. Pituitary function is usually normal.

The health care provider may test pituitary gland function to make sure that the gland is working normally.

Sometimes tests for high pressure in the brain will be done, such as:

• Examination of the retina by an ophthalmologist
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

The hormone prolactin is a little high in a small percentage of patients, which may interfere with the normal function of the testicles or ovaries.

Images

The pituitary gland

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Empty sella syndrome Overview

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Empty sella syndrome Treatment

Review Date: 11/23/2009
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)