Abstract
OBJECTIVES. To evaluate measurements of sella turcica on computerized tomography (CT) scans.
MATERIAL AND METHODS. Using CT images of 185 subjects (122 male, 63 female), sella length (SL), posterior clinoid height (PCH), tuberculum sella (TS), sella height anterior (SA), sella middle height (SM), sella height posterior (SP), and sella anterior-posterior dimension (SAP), sella types (oval, circular and flattened) were measured in age groups (< 26, 26–40, 41–60, and > 60 y).
RESULTS. In the 41-60y group, the SL and SAP dimensions of the males (n=39) and SM, TS and PCH of the females (n=17) were longer than in the younger group [for males, 26-40y (n=32) and < 26y (n=38) groups; for females, 26-40y (n=19) and < 26y (n=19) groups]. In both males and females, mainly the circular type sella was observed (64.8% and 74.6%, respectively). The SL and SAP distance of the flat sella (n=46) was significantly longer, and the PCH, TS, SA and SM measurements of the flat sella were significantly shorter than those of the oval (n=13) and circular types (n=126).
CONCLUSION. The development of sella turcica continues through the age of 41 to 60 years. In the male group, growth was detected mainly in the anterior-posterior direction. The reason for this may be related to the decrease in the pars anterior of the pituitary gland and the enlargement of the pars posterior of the pituitary gland. However, in females, growth was detected mainly in the vertical direction. This is thought to be due to pituitary stalk elongation.