Treatment of empty sella syndrome with ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Abstract

A symptomatic empty sella developed in a female patient undergoing bromocriptine therapy for microprolactinoma. Placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt dramatically improved the symptoms of headache and blurred vision. The post-operative imaging showed resolution of the empty sella. She was able to resume bromocriptine therapy without recurrence of her previous symptoms and give birth to a baby 20 months later. An MRI 44 months after surgery and on bromocriptine therapy showed no recurrence of the empty sella. We conclude that ventriculoperitoneal shunt may be a simple, and durable treatment for drug induced empty sella and allows resumption of bromocriptine therapy for preexisting microprolactinoma.

• Authors: Tao-Chen Lee, Lin-Cheng Yang, Pao-Lin Huang
• Journal: Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia (J Clin Neurosci) Vol. 12 Issue 2 Pg. 201-5 (Feb 2005) ISSN: 0967-5868 [Print] Scotland
• PMID: 15749434 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hormone Antagonists
• Bromocriptine

Topics

• Adult
• Bromocriptine (adverse effects)
• Empty Sella Syndrome (chemically induced, surgery)
• Female
• Hormone Antagonists (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Pituitary Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Prolactinoma (drug therapy)
• Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt