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Empty sella syndrome - Treatment

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.

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.

  • Reviewed last on: 11/23/2009
  • 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.

References

Melmed S, Kleinberg D. Anterior pituitary. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 8.

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