A condition, shown by radiography of the skull, in which the sella turcica, which normally contains the pituitary gland, is found to be empty. Clinically, patients may show no endocrine abnormality or may have signs of decreased pituitary function. Hormonal replacement is given to patients with hypopituitarism. In autopsy studies, empty-sella syndrome has been found in about 5% of presumably normal persons.