Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Empty sella syndrome

Table of Contents

Treatment

For primary empty sella syndrome:

  • There is no specific treatment if pituitary function is normal.
  • Medications, such as bromocriptine, which lower prolactin levels, may be prescribed if the prolactin levels are high and interfering with function of the ovaries or testes.

For secondary empty sella syndrome:

  • Treatment involves replacing the hormones that are lacking.

Support Groups


Expectations (prognosis)

Primary empty sella syndrome does not cause health problems, and it does not affect life expectancy.


Complications

Complications of primary empty sella syndrome include mild hyperprolactinemia.

Complications of secondary empty sella syndrome are related to the cause of pituitary gland disease or to the effects of too little pituitary hormone.


Calling your health care provider

Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of abnormal pituitary function, such as a disrupted menstrual cycle or impotence.



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)