Empty Sella Syndrome

Overview

4.7 out of 5 (6 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post Assessment Questions

5

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

26 Oct 2023

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


 
Need Help?  If you have a system or content concerns, please contact support@statpearls.com

Activity Description

Empty sella syndrome (ESS), also known as arachnoidocele, is a radiologic finding in which the sella turcica appears empty due to cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) within the subarachnoid space herniating into the sella turcica. Subsequently, the pituitary gland contained in the sella turcica is compressed and flattened, and the pituitary stalk is stretched by the CSF, which fills the space. Over the years, radiologists noticed a similar phenomenon in CT and MRI brain imaging, further refining the term empty sella. ESS is the condition associated with this finding that may present with symptoms including headache and visual changes. ESS is commonly classified into 2 etiologic categories: primary empty sella (PES), which has no identified underlying cause, and secondary empty sella (SES), which has an identifiable etiology (eg, cerebral trauma and postpartum pituitary necrosis). ESS can be further subdivided into complete and partial types, with the latter referring to the sella turcica being less than 50% filled with CSF and the former being more than 50% filled with CSF.

Due to advances in radiologic technology, the incidence of empty sella has recently increased. Although empty sella has historically been considered an incidental finding without clinical significance, recent evidence suggests that patients may have associated symptoms, otherwise known as ESS, more frequently than previously believed. Consequently, most experts recommend a thorough evaluation in all patients initially found to have empty sella; reevaluation in asymptomatic patients may be reasonable also. Symptomatic patients with ESS should be managed supportively; the type of treatment indicated can vary from pharmacologic (eg, growth hormone replacement) to surgical (eg, lumbar peritoneal shunt) therapies. Because this condition is being identified more frequently and may be associated with more symptoms than previously believed, clinicians should be familiar with this finding and the variety of potential presentations. This activity will enhance the healthcare professional's competence in diagnosing and managing empty sella syndrome and highlight the critical need for collaboration among multidisciplinary team members such as ophthalmology, neurology, and endocrinology clinicians to improve patient outcomes. 


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Differentiate between primary and secondary empty sella syndrome and recognize underlying causes.

  • Identify the clinical signs and symptoms of empty sella syndrome to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention.

  • Select appropriate imaging modalities to confirm and evaluate Empty Sella Syndrome.

  • Coordinate long-term follow-up and treatment adjustments for patients with this condition.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Physicians and Physician Associates: StatPearls, LLC designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians and PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Internal Medicine: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Pathology: Successful completion of this Continuing Certification activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 Lifelong Learning (CME) credits in the American Board of Pathology’s Continuing Certification Program.

American Board of Pediatrics: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Bibhu Prasad N. on 1/30/2022

Nancy R. on 3/1/2023

Przemyslaw L. on 3/20/2023

adeel s. on 3/24/2023

Lewis B. on 10/2/2023

LEILANY I. on 3/31/2024

Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6673 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7923.5 hours of CME.

Learn About Lifetime CME

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$49 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$399 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$599 per 1 year per user