Publication:

Morphometric analysis of sella turcica in North Indian population: a radiological study

Background The purpose of this study was to describe the morphology and measure the size of the sella turcica in North Indian population.

Methods Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 180 individuals (90 males and 90 females) with an age range of 12 - 65 years were taken. Morphology of sella turcica was studied and various measurements were taken to determine the shape of the sella. Statistical analysis was done to calculate differences in dimensions and to establish if any, relationship exists between age, sex and the morphometry of sella turcica.

Results The study found that sella turcica presented with a normal morphology in only 28 per cent of the subjects. A significant difference in linear dimensions between genders was found in sella height and width. When age was evaluated, some dimensions showed negative correlation with the age. Sella size of the older age group was as a rule larger than the younger age.

Conclusion Pathological enlargement of the pituitary fossa can be detected by this technique and may also be helpful in providing data in the assessment of racial, gender, age specific variation in the skull.