"SPONTANEOUS FRACTURE OF THE POSTERIOR CLINOIDS"

Abstract

To the Editor: —I have noted with interest the article on Spontaneous Fracture of the Posterior Clinoids (The Journal, February 11, p. 457). The illustration demonstrates the posterior and anterior clinoid processes of the sella turcica accurately, thereby showing excellent x-ray technic; frequently, as the result of poor technic, distortions of the pituitary fossa are observed which on further study prove to be a normal sella turcica. I have been interested in the study of this region from the roentgenologic point of view for twelve years and have noted many false readings of what appeared to be normal pituitary fossae. The roentgenogram shown in this article impresses me and I feel fairly certain that the distortion of the posterior clinoid process of this patient is a hyperostosis adjoining the posterior clinoid, rather than a fracture as stated. Hyperostosis is not an unusual observation in irritations due to pathologic changes of