Shape and Dimensions of Sella Turcica in Cleft And Non-Cleft Palate Subjects: A Radiographic Study

Introduction: The Sella turcica is a significant anatomical structure because the Sella point, S, is one of the most used landmarks in cephalometries. It is located at the center of the Sella turcica. In healthy individuals, the surface area of the Sella turcica varies from 18-115 mm in females and from 22-122 mm 2 in males. The shape of Sella turcica is usually oval.but round and flat types can also occur. Aim: This study aimed to describe and compare the shape and dimensions of Sella turcica in cleft and non-cleft palate subjects. Materials and methods: Cone beam computed tomography of 80 individuals (40 normal and 40 clefts) with age range 12-30 years were collected and analyzed. The linear measurements of length, depth, and diameter were measured and compared between both groups. Results: The Sella turcica normally appeared in the majority of subjects 61.5% in non-cleft subjects while in cleft group was 40%, the oblique anterior wall in the non-cleft was found to be 19%, and in cleft left 17%. Regarding notching in the posterior wall was found 9% in non-cleft and 14% in cleft group, and bridging was found to be 7% in non-cleft group and 16% in cleft group. In the non-cleft group pyramidal Sella turcica was 3.5% while in cleft double contour of the floor was seen in 13%. For linear measurements length, depth, and diameter of Sella turcica showed no significant differences between non cleft and cleft groups. Conclusion: No significance differences in the size of Sella turcica were found regarding length, depth, and diameter of Sella turcica of cleft CBCTs (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) when compared to those of non-cleft CBCTs. On comparing different cleft groups to each other there was only a significant increase in length for unilateral right complete cleft palate compared to other groups. No significance differences were found in comparing volume of Sella turcica between non cleft and cleft groups.