A morphometric study of the sella turcica: race, age, and gender effect.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological appearance, bridging incidence, and linear dimensions of sella turcica (ST) in Chinese and Nepalese individuals.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective study examined digital standardised lateral cephalometric of 360 Chinese and Nepalese subjects, which consisted of 116 females and 64 males with an age range of 8-28 years. The sella morphology, bridging, and size were assessed on the lateral cephalometric radiographs, and the data were correlated with race, gender, and age.

RESULTS

Sella turcica presented a normal morphology in most Nepalese (90%) subjects whereas flat-shaped morphology were highly prevalent among Chinese subjects (36.7%). The frequency of full bridging was 2.8% and 11.7% for Chinese and Nepalese subjects, respectively. When the race was compared with sella size, a statistically significant difference was detected in length (p < 0.05) and diameter (p < 0.001) of ST. A significant correlation was found between length and diameter of the ST and age in Chinese and Nepalese subjects. No significant correlation was observed between the size of ST and gender of Chinese and Nepalese subjects. The only parameter significantly associated with race, age and gender was the diameter of ST.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings assist orthodontists, neurosurgeons, and forensic medical investigators to focus on the diameter of ST during orthodontic treatment planning, diagnosis of pathology of the pituitary gland, and age determination.