Abstract
Purpose Sella turcica bridging (STB) refers to a rare anatomical variation formed by the ossification of the ligament between the anterior and posterior clinoid processes. The presence of the STB was significantly correlated with craniofacial skeleton classification and a higher prevalence rate in skeletal Class III. The current study is aimed at investigating the dimensions of sella turcica and the prevalence of STB in different sexes and on the three craniofacial skeletal patterns using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods A total of 159 adults (66 males and 93 females), including 3 different craniofacial skeletal patterns (skeletal Classes I, II, and III), were included in the study. The sella turcica dimensions and the prevalence of STB were calculated. An independent t-test and generalized linear model were used to compare the differences in the sella turcica dimensions and the skeletal relations. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlations between sella turcica dimensions and skeletal relation. Results The sella length (SL) was 11.05 ± 1.80 mm for males and 10.77 ± 1.56 mm for females. The anterior clinoid distance (ACD) which was measured for the anterior width of sella turcica showed 25.83 ± 2.04 mm and 24.04 ± 2.28 mm for males and females, respectively (p < 0.0001). The overall percentage of complete bridging and partial bridging was 6.6% and 56.9%, respectively. Complete bridges were more common in males (males: 9.1%, females: 4.8%), and partial bridges were more frequent in females (males: 49.2%, females: 62.4%). Both sexes differed with respect to sella turcica dimensions. Moreover, males had a significantly larger ACD, posterior clinoid distance (PCD), and diameter of sella turcica (DST), on both sides, relative to females. Conclusion The prevalence rate of complete STB in the Taiwanese population was 6.6%. Significant differences between sexes were found in sella turcica dimensions. The prevalence rates of STB as well as the sella turcica dimensions did not significantly differ between different craniofacial skeletal patterns (skeletal Classes I, II, and III).
Highlights
Sella turcica bridge (STB) is a structural variation of the skeletal connection between the anterior clinoid process and the posterior clinoid process; it is a rare phenomenon of ossification of the interclinoid ligament (ICL) [1,2,3,4]
Most previous studies on the assessment of sella turcica used traditional 2D lateral cephalometric radiographs to determine the existence of STB [7,8,9], and cephalometric analysis can be affected if an STB is present [10,11,12,13,14]
anterior clinoid distance (ACD), posterior clinoid distance (PCD), diameter of sella turcica (DST)-L, and Diameter of sella turcica-R (DST-R) were larger for males than females
Summary
Sella turcica bridge (STB) is a structural variation of the skeletal connection between the anterior clinoid process and the posterior clinoid process; it is a rare phenomenon of ossification of the interclinoid ligament (ICL) [1,2,3,4]. Compared to conventional CT, the technology of CBCT can achieve high-quality images with lower-cost equipment and at a lower radiation dose. Because of these advantages, it is an alternative imaging method for craniofacial structures and the dental field [5, 18, 19]
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