Post-natal size and morphology of the sella turcica. Longitudinal cephalometric standards for Norwegians between 6 and 21 years of age

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish normative longitudinal cephalometric standards of size and to describe the morphology of the sella turcica in Norwegian males and females between 6 and 21 years of age using standardized lateral radiographic cephalograms. The subjects comprised 35 males and 37 females from the Oslo University Craniofacial Growth Archive. All were healthy Caucasians, with an Angle Class I molar and canine relationship with no apparent facial disharmony. None had undergone orthodontic therapy. The length, depth, and diameter of the sella turcica was measured and the mean values were analysed longitudinally. Comparisons between the dimensions of the sella turcica of males and females in each age group were performed using a Student's t-test. The length of the sella turcica was almost constant throughout the observation period and the depth and diameter increased with age. No differences between males and females were detected for the depth and diameter of the sella turcica, but the length was larger in males throughout the observation period. The morphology of the sella turcica was assessed and five different morphological aberration types were identified: oblique anterior wall, sella turcica bridging, double contour of the floor, irregularity (notching) in the posterior part of the dorsum sellae, and pyramidal shape of the dorsum sellae. The female subjects had slightly more sella turcicas with aberrant morphology. These reference standards for the dimensions of the sella turcica can be used in the study of growth and development of individuals with craniofacial aberrations and syndromes.