Evaluation of Sella Turcica Morphology and Morphometry Based on Gender and Age in Our Population Using Computed Tomography

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine the reference values for the healthy Turkish population by evaluating the age-related changes in the morphology and morphometry of Sella Turcica (ST) and the relationship with the body mass index. In addition, it has been investigated whether the morphology and morphometry of this structure vary in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. The study group was consisted of a total of 524 individuals (266 females and 258 males) (426 healthy and 48 with DM) between the ages of 1 and 80, who applied to the Department of Radiology between January 2018 and February 2021. Axial brain computed tomography scans which have no pathology in ST were retrospectively examined. The ST length (STL), height (STH), diameter (STD), processus clinoideus anterior right-left (PCAR_L), processus clinoideus posterior right-left (PCPR_L) did not differ significantly in healthy individuals and individuals with DM (P>0.05). When the ST morphology according to the ST shape classification performed by Meyer Marcotti and colleagues and Axellson and colleagues was evaluated, it was observed that there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P>0.05). There was a significant difference in STL, STD values (P<0.05), however, there was no difference in STH, PCAR_L, PCPR_L values between genders (P>0.05). While the distance between STL, STD, PCAR_L showed a significant difference between the decades in all groups, there was no significant difference in the STH, PCPR_L in both classifications (P>0.05). When the relationship between the parameters and body mass index was evaluated, STL, STD, PCAR_L showed a significant difference between the groups (P<0.05). Detailed knowledge of the ST anatomy will be helpful in terms of early diagnosis of diseases that may be related and guiding surgical interventions in this region.