A Study To Evaluate The Shape And Size of Sella Turcica And Its Correlation with The Type of Malocclusion on Lateral Cephalometric Radiographs

Introduction: Lateral cephalograms display numerous cranial, facial and oral anatomic structures along with sella turcica which is considered vital for many radiographic analyses. It is demarcated by dense thin white line and is used to measure the position of maxilla & mandible in relation to the cranial base and to themselves. Various studies have found an association between morphological variations of sella to malocclusion and also gender differences have been noted. This retrospective study was carried out to evaluate these morphological variations of sella turcica and its relation to type of malocclusion. Aim: To determine dimensions and morphological variations of sella turcica in different age groups & correlation between sella and type of malocclusion. Materials And Methods: 200 lateral cephalometric images of the patients more than age group of 8 years and less than 25 years were selected. The morphological variations, linear measurements of sella turcica and the skeletal type classification, based on ANB angle was determined. Length, depth, antero-posterior diameter (linear dimentions) were measured and correlated with the type of malocclusion. Results: Out of the total sample studied, it was found that, when linear measurements were assessed, there was statistically significant difference found between the length and antero-posterior diameter of sella turcica. When skeletal type malocclusion was assessed, there was no significant correlation found between sella morphology, linear dimensions and the different types of malocclusion. Conclusion: The study showed significant correlation between the length and the anteroposterior diameter with the advancing age which signifies that growth of the individual can be assessed based on the size of sella turcica at different age periods.