Can an Empty Sella be caused by a TBI?

[LyteTouch]

This is what I have.  

I have one on the MRI.  According to these yes.  There may be a few things that can cause that:

Argue with your Primary Care Physician and Neurologist with this data because there seem to be a lot of links that can't be ignored:

Cleveland Clinic mentions that Secondary Empty Sella Syndrome (SES) can result from various causes including head trauma, such as a traumatic brain injury1.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that Secondary ESS can be the result of the pituitary gland regressing within the cavity after an injury2.
Johns Hopkins Medicine also indicates that Secondary ESS may be caused by injury, including head trauma34.
NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders) mentions that Secondary Empty Sella syndrome can be caused by a variety of different conditions, including injury or trauma to the head5.
Merck Manuals notes that ESS can occur secondary to injury, including head trauma6.

Role of neurotoxicants and traumatic brain injury in α-synuclein protein misfolding and aggregation
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.12.003
Blast TBI Models, Neuropathology, and Implications for Seizure Risk
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2014.00047
VA Benefits for Jet Fuel Exposure
https://www.hillandponton.com/va-benefits-exposure-jet-fuel/
Research Shows Jet Fuel is Toxic to the Brain, Not Necessarily the Ears
https://hearingreview.com/hearing-loss/hearing-loss-prevention/industrial-military/research-shows-jet-fuel-toxic-brain-not-necessarily-ears
Effects of Jet-Propulsion Fuel 8 on the Nervous System
Effects of Jet-Propulsion Fuel 8 on the Nervous System - Toxicologic Assessment of Jet-Propulsion Fuel 8 - NCBI Bookshelf
Effects of Jet-Propulsion Fuel 8 on the Nervous System - Toxicologic Ass...
This chapter summarizes the findings on potential neurotoxicity from exposure to jet-propulsion fuel 8 (JP-8) pr...
Empty Sella Syndrome Following Auto Accidents - Traumatic Brain Injury
Empty Sella Syndrome | Johns Hopkins Medicine
Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Alters Glymphatic Clearance Rates in Limbic Structures of Adolescent Female Rats - Scientific Reports
Glymphatic System Dysfunction in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Fama' F, Vita R, Sindoni A, Vinci SL, Giorgianni G, Grasso L, Gioffre'-Florio M, Benvenga S. High frequency of empty sella, with gender differences, in the early neuroradiology evaluation of patients with traumatic brain injury. A prospective study. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2018 Dec 31;15:54-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jcte.2018.12.008. Erratum in: J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2020 Dec 17;23:100242. PMID: 30622899; PMCID: PMC6317284. High frequency of empty sella, with gender differences, in the early neuroradiology evaluation of patients with traumatic brain injury. A prospective study - PubMed
Miljic D, Pekic S, Popovic V. Empty Sella. [Updated 2021 Aug 1]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-. Available from: Empty Sella - Endotext - NCBI Bookshelf
  Chapter 27 - The rate of empty sella (ES) in traumatic brain injury: Links with endocrine profiles:
    The rate of empty sella (ES) in traumatic brain injury: Links with endocrine profiles
13.    Gregersen P. Neurotoxic effects of organic solvents in exposed workers: two controlled follow-up studies after 5.5 and 10.6 years. Am J Ind Med. 1988;14(6):681-                        701. doi: 10.1002/ajim.4700140608. PMID: 2852897.  Neurotoxic effects of organic solvents in exposed workers: two controlled follow-up studies after 5.5 and 10.6                    years - PubMed
  How the Glymphatic System Gets Rid of All of its Trash
Empty Sella Syndrome Following Auto Accidents - Traumatic Brain Injury

Currently, there are soldiers coming from combat zones with this in their MRI and they,  even when they have TBI in the medical record from deployment, this does not always register thoroughly enough to get a TBI from from the VA.  It's a bit of a mystery.  The PACT Act seems to be trying to change this so get your records together and give it a shot if you have an MRI that is showing this.

[Dustoff1970]

Your condition may or may not be covered under the presumptive list for Gulf War Veterans or the new PACT ACT law. If not on a presumptive list then read on.

Those are good medical references you have that can or could be used in a claim in addition to evidence you suffered an in service event such as a TBI and also importantly you will need a medical doctor specialist nexus opinion letter/statement saying they have reviewed your Service and VA and/or private medical records and that your condition "is at least as likely as not or more likely than not due to/caused by your TBI or the Inservice event."  

The nexus letter will have to have complete reason and basis rational for their opinion and a list of reputable medical references to support their favorable conclusion. And of course send with your claim any other medical and other evidence that support your claim.

My recent successful two BVA appeals consisted of the above type medical nexus opinions (IMO) from a 30 year experienced heart surgeon whose IMO met the above requirement in addition to lengthy phone interview about my conditions.  Others will provide more info. Good luck going forward.

My opinion comment is not legal advice as I am not a lawyer, paralegal or VSO

Edited July 16, 2023 by Dustoff1970