Morphometry of Sella Turcica in an Indian Population Using Computed Tomography

Abstract

Introduction: Morphology of sella turcica varies with demographic factors such as gender and race. Hence, knowledge of normal sella turcica size is important for neurologists, surgeons and endocrinologists. Aim: The purpose of the study was to obtain normative data of measurements pertaining to sella turcica in an Indian population using Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT). Materials and Methods: A morphometric analysis of the sella turcica was done in 400 patients (200 males and 200 females) aged 1 – 93 years using high resolution CTimaging of skull base after obtaining Institutional ethics committee approval. Anteroposterior (AP) dimension, length and depth of sella turcica were measured in each case and mean, standard deviation and correlation with age and gender derived. Results: The majority of persons belonged to the age group 26- 40 years, comprising 41.5 % males and 42% females. The mean AP diameter, length and depth of sella in the study group was measured, and found to be 10.13 mm, 9.51 mm and 7.39 mm respectively. The mean AP diameter, length and depth of sella in males were found to be 10.0 mm, 9.87 mm and 7.42 mm respectively. The mean AP diameter, length and depth of sella in females were found to be 10.25 mm, 9.1 mm and 7.36 mm respectively. There is significant linear correlation between age of study group and the measured parameters below 18 years of age. Considering p-value < 0.01 as significant, unpaired ‘t’- test revealed significant difference between males and females only in the length of sella. The p-value was not found to be significant when comparing the AP dimension and height of males and females. Conclusion: The results obtained from our study can be utilised as normative data of sella turcica for Indian population. Statistically significant difference was seen between the linear dimensions of the two genders with significant linear correlation between age and the dimensions of sella turcica below 18 years of age.

Keywords

• mdct
• morphology
• pituitary fossa