COEXISTING PRIMARY EMPTY SELLA SYNDROME AND ACROMEGALY*

Abstract

The 'empty' sells syndrome is now a more frequent diagnosis due to the increased use of pneumoencephalography in the evaluation of the enlarged pituitary fossa. This syndrome has also been classified into a 'primary' form in which there has been no prior pituitary irradiation or surgery, and a 'secondary' form in which the empty sella is found after such procedures. Most patients with the primary empty sella syndrome are found to have normal pituitary function while about 30% have varying degrees of hypopituitarism (Neelon et al., 1973). It is not widely appreciated, however, that the primary empty sella may harbour a pituitary tumour with resultant acromegaly. In this report we describe two such patients who presented with active acromegaly. This entity of pituitary tumour in a primary empty sella merits careful consideration since the coexistence of these two findings may influence the therapeutic approach that might otherwise be appropriate for the pituitary tumour.