Primary empty sella syndrome with visual field defects

A patient with an enlarged, asymmetric sella turcica and visual field defects suggestive of a pituitary or parasellar tumor underwent extensive roentgenographic and pituitary function studies. No abnormalities in pituitary luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, ACTH, prolactin or vasopressin secretion were detected. Growth hormone secretion was provoked by arginine infusion but not by hypoglycemia. Pneumoencephalography revealed air in the sella turcica, and no evidence of tumor. Thus, an enlarged sella turcica in a patient with visual field defects but normal pituitary function may suggest the presence of an “empty sella syndrome.”