Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Empty sella turcica (EST) is characterized by the passage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the sella turcica through the sellar diaphragm. The aim of our work is to study the clinical and hormonal characteristics of patients with EST discovered due to height delay.

Patients and methods: Descriptive study on 14 patient files. Data studied : history, anthropometry, endocrine deficits and associated pathologies.

Results/Discussion: 6 boys, 8 girls; average age at first consultation: 8.2 years (range: 2 and 15 years); main reason for consultation: height delay (HD). No cases of fetal distress, neonatal hypoglycemia, peri natal trauma, pituitary surgery or radiotherapy. 5 cases of intrauterine growth retardation, 1 case of mental retardation, 5 cases of celiac disease, 2 cases of autoimmune hypothyroidism. HD on average at -3.8 SD (range: -6 and -2 SD), average weight deficit at -2.8 SD (range: -4.5 and - 2 SD); 1 case of total anterior pituitary insufficiency, 6 cases of dissociated anterior pituitary insufficiency; Partial GH deficiency in 4 cases and complete in 10 cases. 2 cases of partially empty sella turcica and 12 cases of EST. 10 children substituted for the different deficits. One child referred for Neurosurgery for hydrocephalus. There is a delay in the diagnosis of stature delay. Primary EST does not preferentially affect one sex, the congenital origin is most likely. Lifelong monitoring is necessary in order to detect possible endocrine, neurological and ophthalmological complications.