Empty Sella Syndrome ICD-10-CM Codes
Read this short guide and learn about empty sella syndrome ICD codes you can use.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What empty sella syndrome ICD codes can I use?
If you’re looking for empty sella syndrome ICD codes to use but are having trouble locating some, well, that’s because there are no ICD-10 codes that mention empty sella syndrome in their names. That doesn’t mean there are no ICD-10 codes related to it! Here are two that you can use:
- E23.0 - Hypopituitarism
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have Hypopituitarism, a deficiency of the hormones produced by the pituitary gland. If you’re wondering what this has to do with empty sella syndrome, this syndrome flattens or shrinks the pituitary gland, which can cause pituitary deficiency.
- E23.6 - Other disorders of the pituitary gland
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient with a pituitary gland disorder, specifically diseases that don’t have specific ICD-10 codes. You may use this since empty sella syndrome has no specific ICD-10 code.
Are these empty sella syndrome ICD codes billable?
Yes. Both of these empty sella syndrome-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.
Clinical information about empty sella syndrome:
As we mentioned briefly while discussing Item 1, empty sella syndrome is a condition characterized by the shrinking or flattening of the pituitary gland due to problems concerning the sella turcica’s contents.
This condition can affect the pituitary gland by limiting the amount of hormones it’s supposed to produce, which can lead to hormonal imbalances. It can also cause hypertension and, by extension, severe headaches. It can also make people feel fatigued, lower or eliminate (temporarily) their sex drives, resulting in irregular menstruation or absent periods and erectile dysfunction.
Empty sella syndrome is a rare condition, and it’s also not life-threatening.
Synonyms include:
- Pituitary deficiency due to empty sella turcica syndrome
- Empty sella syndrome
Commonly asked questions
The term "empty sella" refers to the appearance of the sella turcica, a saddle-shaped region in the skull that houses the pituitary gland. In ESS, this area appears empty on an MRI or CT scan because the pituitary gland is flattened or shrunk, even though the space isn't truly empty.
No, there are two types of ESS: primary and secondary. Primary ESS often doesn't cause symptoms and is discovered incidentally during imaging for other reasons. Secondary ESS can be associated with symptoms of a malfunctioning pituitary gland or its previous surgery or radiation.
Yes, in some cases, ESS can impact the pituitary gland's ability to produce hormones that regulate the reproductive system. This can lead to issues like irregular menstrual cycles in women or reduced testosterone levels in men, potentially affecting fertility.
