DYSPLASIA OF THE SELLA TURCICA: CLINICAL AND LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS IN THREE CASES

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Abstract
Three cases are described with no actual sella turcica but only a shallow depression in its place. The name dysplasia is suggested for this as distinct from the term »a small sella« which is used by other authors to describe a clearly definable and normally-shaped sella turcica but which is smaller than average for the patient's age. Endocrine dysfunction was present in all cases to a varying extent. In the first case hypogonadism, dwarfism, obesity, fronto-temporal baldness, hypothermia and cataract were present. In the second case hypogonadism, slight obesity and a defective cortisol-ACTH feed-back mechanism were found. In the third case with the least pronounced dysplasia, the endocrinological investigations only showed frontal baldness and a decreased glucose tolerance. The EEG was pathological in all cases. Air-encephalography did not show any changes outside the suprasellar region. The patients were neurologically and mentally normal.