Floor Of Sella Turcica Research Articles

Morphology of the Sella Turcica in Individuals With Different Skeletal Malocclusions in Upper Egypt Assessed Using Lateral Cephalometric Radiographs.

To evaluate the morphology of sella turcica (ST) in individuals with different skeletal malocclusions in upper Egypt. 300 lateral cephalometric radiographs of adult patients of both sexes, varying ages from 18 to 30 years, were selected and divided into three equal groups, group (1): skeletal class I (control group), group (2): skeletal class II, and group (3): skeletal class III. Pre-treatment lateral cephalograms were taken from the archives of the Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Minia University. The tuberculum and dorsum sella, the floor of ST, and posterior and anterior clinoid processes (ACPs) were drawn. The direct measurements such asdiameter (APD), depth (D), and length(L) of sella were measured using Silverman and Kisling methods. A significant difference was found in depth (D) between class I and class II, with class II having a greater depth.Also, the largest diameter (APD) was found in the class III group.A significant difference was found in diameter (APD) between the two age groups (from 18 to 24 years and from 25 to 30 years) Conclusion: The larger diameter values were seen in the skeletal class III subjects, while the larger depth values were observed in the class II subjects. The older age group (25-30 years) has a greater diameter than the younger one. Highly significant differences were found in length and depth between the sexes.

Discovery of a trans-sellar vascular supply for the pituitary gland.

The vasculature of the pituitary gland is discussed briefly and the details of an anatomical discovery of the vessels supplying the pituitary gland provided. Twenty latex injected cadaveric heads were dissected. Any vessels that were found to penetrate the sella turcica and travel to the pituitary gland were documented and measured. Additionally, 25 adult skulls were evaluated for the presence, size, and sites of bony foramina in the floor of sella turcica. Trans-sellar vessels were identified in 65% of specimens. There was a mean of 1.5 vessels per specimen consisting usually of a mixture of veins and arteries. The mean diameter of these vessels was 0.3 mm and the mean length from the sella turcica to the pituitary gland was 2.3 mm. These vessels were concentrated in the most concave part of the sella turcica. In bony specimens, the mean number of trans-sellar foramina was four. The diameter of these foramina ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 mm in size. The trans-sellar foramina were concentrated near the center part of the sella turcica and had no regular pattern. The pituitary gland receives at least some blood supply and drainage via vessels traveling along the septum of the sphenoidal sinuses and through the sella turcica. Knowledge of such vessels might lead to a better understanding of the vascular supply and drainage of the pituitary gland and would be useful during skull base approaches such as trans-nasal approaches to the pituitary gland.

Abnormal sella turcica morphology in individuals with congenital innerear hearing deficits

Introduction: The present study focusses on the interrelationship between medically diagnosed congenital inner-ear hearing deficits and sella turcica morphology. Based on former prenatal studies it is hypothesized that the posterior wall and the floor of the sella turcica are malformed in patients with congenital inner-ear hearing deficits. Material and Methods:The study is based on profile radiographs from 7 patients (10-17 years of age) with congenital inner-ear hearing deficits and hearing aids. The sella turcica was identified and described in these profile radiographs. Results: The posterior walls and the floors of the sella turcicae are malformed in all 7 cases and the anterior wall appear close to normalin all cases. This observation proofs the involvement of the cranialoccipital field in congenital inner ear hearing deficits. Conclusion: The observation of posterior wall and sella floor malformation observed on profile radiographs from patients with congenital inner-ear deficits has seemingly not been published before. In future analyses of profile radiographs, the morphology of the anterior wall, the posterior wall, and the floor of sella turcica should receive specific attention. Absence or malformation of the posterior wall could be a sign of congenital hearing deficit.

Prenatal MR Imaging of the Normal Pituitary Stalk

Prenatal imaging data of the normal pituitary gland and in vivo information on the development of the pituitary region are lacking; however, we noticed that the pituitary stalk (PS) is visible occasionally in utero on MR images. Our main purpose was to establish the detection rate of the PS in healthy fetuses at various gestational ages (GAs) by using single-shot fast spin-echo T2-weighted images. We selected 73 fetal cases with normal findings on prenatal MR imaging and clinical postnatal follow-up. The GA ranged between 19 and 37 weeks. The 3 planes of MR imaging sections were 4 mm thick with 1.25 x 1.25 mm in-plane resolution. Two pediatric neuroradiologists evaluated in consensus whether the PS was present as a linear isointense structure connecting the hypothalamic region with the floor of sella turcica. In those cases in which the PS was visible on the sagittal section, the angle formed by the intersection of the PS and the sellar plane (SP) was measured (PS-SP angle). The PS was detectable on at least 1 coronal or sagittal section from 19 to 25 weeks' GA in 30/42 fetuses (71.4% sensitivity); from 26 to 37 weeks' GA, the PS was detected in all 31 fetuses (100% sensitivity). The PS-SP angle decreased significantly with GA, being <90 degrees in all fetuses after gestational week 25. At the current spatial resolution of clinical prenatal MR imaging, PS can be reliably detected after 25 weeks' GA, so in case of a missing visualization, a strong suspicion of pituitary region anomaly could be raised.

Endoscopic anatomy of the sphenoid sinus.

The anatomy of the sphenoid sinus, as it relates to endoscopic sinus surgery, was studied in 93 cadaver heads (186 sphenoid sinuses) using endoscopic dissections as well as sagittal sections. The relationship of the sphenoid sinuses to the carotid artery, optic nerve, floor of sella turcica, as well as other important structures, were verified and discussed. The recesses of the sinus as well as its ostium and accessory septa and crests were described and their clinical importance was discussed. Pertinent measurements were included wherever appropriate.