Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate variations of some anatomic structures of sellar and parasellar regions and their possible differences between genders and age groups.Patients and methods: Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 380 patients were performed to analyze the dimensions of the sphenoid sinus, pituitary gland, optic chiasm, intra-cavernous carotid distances, distance between columella nasal - sphenoid sinus; and columella nasal-pituitary gland. The patients age ranged between 20 and 80 years (mean age 48 years). The study included 235 females (mean age 53 years) and 145 males (mean age 40 years).ResultsThe transverse length of the pituitary, the inter-carotid distance and the height of the pituitary were similar between genders and age groups. The width and height of the optic chiasm showed differences only between females of different ages. Males presented greater distances between nasal columella and sphenoid sinus. The most common type of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus was the sellar, and depending on the age group, sphenoid sinus was larger in males than females.ConclusionThe anatomy of the Sellar and parasellar regions is complex and varies widely within the normal range. They are a small area, rich in anatomical details affecting multiple physiological systems in the body and, therefore, have great importance in several medical fields. A better understanding of these complex structures is essential in clinical diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Highlights
The sellar and parasellar regions are anatomically complex area composed by the sella turcica, pituitary gland and adjacent structures, which make their surgical access difficult.The sellar area is bounded by sphenoid sinus anteroinferorly, the paired cavernous sinuses laterally, the suprasellar cistern and its contents, diaphragma sellae and hypothalamus superiorly, and the dorsum sella and brainstem posteriorly.The pituitary gland is composed of two anatomically and functionally distinct lobes: the anterior and the posterior lobe.The sella is part of the superior portion of the sphenoid bone, which surrounds the pituitary fossa and lodges its main structure, the pituitary gland, in area located beneath the brain in the center of the skull base
The transverse length of the pituitary, the inter-carotid distance and the height of the pituitary were similar between genders and age groups
The most common type of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus was the sellar, and depending on the age group, sphenoid sinus was larger in males than females
Summary
The sellar and parasellar regions are anatomically complex area composed by the sella turcica, pituitary gland and adjacent structures, which make their surgical access difficult.The sellar area is bounded by sphenoid sinus anteroinferorly, the paired cavernous sinuses laterally, the suprasellar cistern and its contents, diaphragma sellae and hypothalamus superiorly, and the dorsum sella and brainstem posteriorly.The pituitary gland is composed of two anatomically and functionally distinct lobes: the anterior and the posterior lobe.The sella is part of the superior portion of the sphenoid bone, which surrounds the pituitary fossa and lodges its main structure, the pituitary gland (hypophysis), in area located beneath the brain in the center of the skull base. The sellar and parasellar regions are anatomically complex area composed by the sella turcica, pituitary gland and adjacent structures, which make their surgical access difficult. The sellar area is bounded by sphenoid sinus anteroinferorly, the paired cavernous sinuses laterally, the suprasellar cistern and its contents, diaphragma sellae and hypothalamus superiorly, and the dorsum sella and brainstem posteriorly. The pituitary gland is composed of two anatomically and functionally distinct lobes: the anterior and the posterior lobe. The sella is part of the superior portion of the sphenoid bone, which surrounds the pituitary fossa and lodges its main structure, the pituitary gland (hypophysis), in area located beneath the brain in the center of the skull base. The incorporation of microscopic surgical techniques to perfom microdissection enhanced the knowledge of neuroanatomy and so achieved great progress in neurosurgery
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