Intrasellar subarachnoid herniation or empty sella associated with galactorrhea.

Eight of 115 patients with empty sella had concurrent galactorrhea. All 8 patients had abnormal sellae, and the diagnosis of empty sella was made by polytome pneumoencephalography. There were no obvious endocrine dysfunctions, but 2 patients had elevated prolactin levels. One mechanism for production of galactorrhea may involve compression of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary stalk; this was suggested by most of our observations. There may be a coincidental association of empty sella with galactorrhea, and this association is probably more common than previously noted. Evaluation of patients with galactorrhea and abnormal sellae by polytome pneumoencephalography is emphasized.