What is Empty Sella Syndrome?

What is Empty Sella Syndrome?

• Empty Sella Syndrome: Congenital defect of the brain.
• Empty Sella Syndrome: A condition associated with underdevelopment or absence of the diaphragma sellae which allows herniation of the meninges into the SELLA TURCICA. The pituitary gland becomes compressed against the walls of the sella and the sella may enlarge. Female gender; OBESITY; PSEUDOTUMOR CEREBRI; and pituitary ADENOMA are associated with this condition, which may present with HEADACHE. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch36, p85)
  Source - Diseases Database

Empty Sella Syndrome is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Empty Sella Syndrome, or a subtype of Empty Sella Syndrome, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Name and Aliases of Empty Sella Syndrome

Main name of condition: Empty Sella Syndrome

ESS, Primary ESS (subtype), Secondary ESS (subtype), Empty sella turcica

ESS, Empty sella turcica, Primary ESS (subtype), Secondary ESS (subtype)
Source - Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Types of Empty Sella Syndrome:

Parent types of Empty Sella Syndrome: Congenital conditions, Brain conditions

Organs Affected by Empty Sella Syndrome:

brain

How many people get Empty Sella Syndrome?

Prevalance of Empty Sella Syndrome: rare

Who gets Empty Sella Syndrome?

Patient Profile for Empty Sella Syndrome: Can be a congenital birth defect; also common in middle-age obese women.
Profile for Empty Sella Syndrome: The disorder is particularly common in middle-age, obese women. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Empty Sella Syndrome Information Page: NINDS)

How serious is Empty Sella Syndrome?

Prognosis of Empty Sella Syndrome: Empty sella syndrome is not life-threatening. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Empty Sella Syndrome Information Page: NINDS)

What causes Empty Sella Syndrome?

Class of Condition for Empty Sella Syndrome: congen.defect
Causes of Empty Sella Syndrome: see causes of Empty Sella Syndrome

How is it treated?

Treatments for Empty Sella Syndrome: see treatments for Empty Sella Syndrome