REVERSIBLE EMPTY SELLA IN IDIOPATHIC INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION - AN INDICATOR OF SUCCESSFUL THERAPY

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is commonly associated with an em pty sella, caused by herniation of subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid th rough an absent or patulous diaphragma sellae, We describe the finding s in two patients who presented with headache, papilledema, and visual disturbances, Diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension was m ade on the basis of clinical symptoms and laboratory data. Initial ima ging studies in each patient showed an empty sella. After treatment, o ne with acetazolamide and the other with lumboperitoneal shunting, the appearance of the sellar contents became normal.