Morphometric Analysis of the Sella Turcica on Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Images

Abstract

Introduction: Sella turcica is an important anatomic formation that contains the pituitary gland and is in a close neighborhood with many vital structures. It is important to know the morphometry of the sella turcica, as it is a transition point during surgical interventions such as the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach to the region. The findings obtained are thought to be useful in the examination of sella turcica and surrounding structures and will contribute to the literature by knowing the morphometry of the region for the surgical method. Method: In this study, cone-beam computed tomography images of 400 individuals, 200 females and 200 males, aged between 18 and 65 years, who did not have craniofacial pathology, who applied to Gaziantep University, Faculty of Dentistry between 2015 and 2020 for any reason, were evaluated retrospectively. In the sagittal section, 8 parameters were examined, 6 of which were transverse. Results: The length () of the sella turcica in the sagittal plane is 10.19±1.77 mm, the diameter of the sella turcica is 11.6±1.69 mm, the anterior height of the sella turcica is 7.88±1.56 mm, the median height of the sella turcica 8.18±1.42 mm, posterior height of sella turcica 6.98±1.31 mm, width of sella turcica 11.10±1.6 mm. The distance between anterior clinoid processes in the transverse plane was 24.93±2.57 mm, and the distance between posterior clinoid processes was 14.92±2.46 mm. Conclusion: It was determined that there was an increase in many parameters with age, and length of the sella turcica and anterior clinoid processes were statistically significantly higher in males.