Empty Sella Syndrome Following Auto Accidents – A serious accident can happen at any time. Whether it is a car accident, bicycle accident, or even a slip and fall accident, serious injuries can result. Perhaps one of the most serious injuries is a traumatic brain injury. For those who may not know, a traumatic brain injury leads to damage to the neurological system stemming from an impact to the head or neck area. Unfortunately, these injuries can lead to chronic complications, and they are more common than many people realize. Some statistics that have been published by Brain and Spinal Cord include:
- Between one and 1.5 million people in the United States sustain a traumatic brain injury every year.
- Close to 250,000 of these people will end up in a hospital because of their injuries.
- More than 50,000 people die as a result of their brain injury on an annual basis.
- More than half of these people are under the age of 14.
Clearly, a traumatic brain injury is a severe diagnosis, and numerous complications could result. Many of these come from damage to the organs that are around the brain. One of these is called the pituitary.
The Role of the Pituitary: Regulatory Functions
The pituitary is a small organ that rests at the base of the brain. It is divided into the anterior and the posterior pituitary. The role of the pituitary is to release hormones that help to keep a lot of the body’s functions in check. Some of the hormones that the pituitary releases include:
- Oxytocin
- Vasopressin
- Growth Hormone
- Prolactin
- FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)
- LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
- GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone)
- TRH (Thyroid-Releasing Hormone)
All of these hormones serve an essential function, and this delicate process could be disrupted by a traumatic brain injury. One of these syndromes is called Empty Sella Syndrome.
Empty Sella Syndrome Following an Auto Accident
Empty Sella Syndrome is the name of a severe syndrome that stems from damage to the pituitary. In this syndrome, the Sella Turcica (which means Turkish Saddle), which is where the pituitary sits in the brain, is filled with cerebrospinal fluid. This compresses the pituitary gland, leading to significant dysfunction. This excess CSF could result from damage to the brain in a car accident. There are numerous symptoms which could develop with this syndrome, including:
- Severe headaches
- Difficulty seeing
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Sexual dysfunction
The symptoms can vary widely from person to person and relate to the absence of the typical pituitary hormones. This syndrome is diagnosed on a CT or MRI scan demonstrating the accumulation of CSF in the brain. The treatment of Empty Sella Syndrome is typically symptomatic management. This could include hormone replacement.
The Recovery Process Following a Traumatic Brain Injury
Once someone has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, the recovery process can begin. When someone has developed complications of this injury, such as those related to damage of the pituitary, they will require medications to keep their hormones in check. This, combined with the physical therapy that accompanies many different head and brain injuries, could leave families wondering where they can turn to for help. While it is essential for everyone to keep all of their doctors’ appointments, it is just as important to seek help from family, friends, and other professionals.
Help from a Lawyer
When a loved one has sustained a serious traumatic brain injury, they could end up spending a lot of time in a hospital. A traumatic brain injury is a significant challenge that could lead to permanent complications. This could lead to some significant sources of stress for a family, such as:
- The mounting medical bills stemming from the hospitalization and the physical therapy.
- Possible issues related to the potential loss of employment.
- A prolonged investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
- Health insurance coverage.
When these issues arise, it is important for families to know where to turn to for help. An experienced car accident lawyer in Sacramento has the expertise necessary to help families in their time of need.
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Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident lawyer in Sacramento. Empty Sella Syndrome is a serious complication of a traumatic brain injury. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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Empty Sella Syndrome Following Auto Accidents: AutoAccident.com
Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/Empty Sella Syndrome Following Auto Accidents.
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