Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Non-functioning pituitary tumors and primary empty sella are a common pathology within the differential diagnosis of pituitary masses. The manifestations will depend on the size of the tumor and the compression of adjacent structures being the most frequent neurological symptoms. Clinically the two entities are very similar and no clinical tools are known to be able to help the differential diagnosis.

Objective: Perform a clinical and comparative characterization between patients with non-functioning pituitary tumors and primary empty sella.

Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study conducted in a highly complex center of the city of Cali, Colombia between January 2002 and December 2014.

Results: A total of 141 cases were found, 32% had a microadenoma, 30% had a macroadenoma and 38% had a primary empty sella. 61% of the patients with non-functioning pituitary tumors were women, as well as 51% of the cases of primary empty sella. The largest number of patients with pituitary tumors were between 20 and 40 years old while in primary empty sella was between 40 and 59 years. Headache was reported in 88% of cases, followed by visual disturbances in 59% and galactorrhea in 41% of cases. As expected, the non-functioning macroadenomas were those with the highest prolactin value with mean of 50 ng/ml. 97% of nonfunctioning microadenomas reported headache being more frequent than in cases of macroadenomas and primary empty sella, this suggests the presence of an additional tension component.

Conclusion: Nonfunctioning pituitary tumors and the primary empty sella are frequent entities within the pituitary masses. The clinical distinction of these entities is quite difficult and requires the accomplishment of an adequate clinical history, adequate interpretation of hormonal and imaging studies.