A cephalometric analysis on magnitudes and shape of sella turcica

Familiarity with the shape and dimensions of sella turcica is important to recognize and manage pathological conditions of pituitary gland as well as for orthodontic treatment planning. The present study aims to describe the morphology and dimensions of sella turcica from Indian population, using lateral cephalograms to set a reference data for comparison among different races. The study used 36 lateral skull radiographs of both sexes between age group of 13 to 18 years. Shape of sella turcica was noted by visual inspection. Length, height anterior, height median, height posterior, distance between frontonasal suture and mental spine to midpoint of posterior clinoid process, and tuberculum sella were measured using digital vernier caliper with reference to Frankfort line. The results of the study revealed that mean length, height anterior, height median, height posterior were larger in females than in males. The morphological types identified include pointed posterior clinoid process with rounded hypophyseal fossa, hooked posterior clinoid process with rounded hypophyseal fossa, hooked posterior clinoid process with flask-shaped hypophyseal fossa. These observations would be beneficial for the clinicians and orthodontists to design treatment planning in pathology of pituitary gland and in correcting dentofacial anomalies.