Morphometric analysis of the sella turcica in subjects with different vertical growth patterns – a cephalometric study

The objective of this study is the comparison of the size and shape of the sella turcica in subjects with different vertical patterns in the skeletal class I in adults, as well as to determine sex differences within examined groups. Lateral cephalograms were used to examine parametars: shape of sella, angulation, length, diameter, index of the depth and cross-sectional area of the sella turcica in 155 adult Caucasian subjects (79 male and 76 female) from the central Balkan area. Subjects were divided into three groups according to the ANB angle, Wit's appraisal and SN/GoGn angle into normodivergent (angle value between 26° and 38° in 28 male, 27 female subjects), hypodivergent (angle value less than 26° in 26 male, 25 female subjects) and hyperdivergent (angle value higher than 38° in 25 male, 24 female subjects). A normal shape of the sella was established in 40% of the overall number of subjects. Significant sex differences were found for angulation angle and sella depth index (p < 0.05). Significant differences between groups were found only for sella depth (p < 0.02). The area of sella turcica appears to be saved from significant changes in morphology, as well as in measurable dimensions and the obtained results justify the use of sella turcica as an important landmark in different cephalometric analyses.