What causes empty sella syndrome?

summary

Empty sella syndrome refers to a group of syndromes caused by subarachnoid hernia into the pituitary fossa, resulting in the compression and deformation of the pituitary gland and the enlargement of the sella turcica. Empty saddle syndrome was first used to describe postpartum pituitary necrosis by Sheehan and summers in 1949. Let's share my experience with you.

What causes empty sella syndrome?

Congenital diaphragmatic development defect: on the basis of diaphragmatic development defect, the pulsatile pressure of cerebrospinal fluid to the sella increases. Under the continuous effect of this pressure, the arachnoid is squeezed into the sellar fossa (Fig. 1). However, according to many data, more than 20% of normal people have the absence or hypoplasia of sellar diaphragm, but not all of them have empty sellar syndrome, so the development defect of sellar diaphragm is not the only factor causing empty sella.

Empty saddle occurs when the enlarged pituitary gland shrinks: for example, the pituitary gland of a woman during pregnancy often increases by 2-3 times, which may enlarge the diaphragmatic foramen and pituitary fossa. After childbirth (especially for multiple pregnancies), the pituitary gland recovers and shrinks, thus causing empty saddle. In primary hypothyroidism, the pituitary gland is enlarged due to the release of negative feedback inhibition. After thyroid hormone replacement therapy, the pituitary gland is reduced due to negative feedback inhibition,

Increased intracranial pressure: obesity syndrome, chronic congestive heart failure, benign intracranial hypertension (also known as pseudobrain tumor), hypertension, hydrocephalus and other intracranial diseases can cause increased pressure of cerebrospinal fluid, and can expand the third ventricle and compress the subarachnoid space, especially on the basis of sellar diaphragm defect and sellar hole expansion, it is easier to push the subarachnoid space into the sellar fossa.

matters needing attention

In daily life, eat more fruits and vegetables, keep optimistic mood, pay attention not to fatigue, pay attention to the recovery of the body, in addition, if there are any symptoms should go to the hospital for examination, and corresponding treatment, these are to actively do.