LAUSR

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to analyze the variations of the sella turcica and their relationship to age and gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS The CBCT images of the patients who referred to Gaziantep University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology were analyzed by two examiners and 200 CBCT images were evaluated retrospectively. Sella turcica shape of individuals were described according to Axelsson's classification as either normal or with aberrations including; oblique anterior wall, double contour of the floor, sella turcica bridging, irregularity in the posterior part of the dorsum sella, and pyramidal shape of the dorsum sella. RESULTS Normal sella turcica was the most common type seen in 100 individuals (% 49, 8). The secondary common type was double contour of the floor of sella turcica seen in 46 patients (% 22, 9). 32 patients (% 15, 9) had oblique anterior wall. 17 individuals (% 8, 5) had pyramidal shape of the dorsum sella, %3 irregularity in the posterior part of the sella turcica. None of the patients had sella turcica bridging. Irregularity in the posterior part of the sella turcica and pyramidal shape of the dorsum sella reported significantly more frequent in female than male. CONCLUSIONS Sella turcica varies in shape and morphology apart from age. Normal sella turcica was the most frequent type in the study group. Irregularity in the posterior part of the sella turcica and pyramidal shape of the dorsum sella reported more frequent in female than male.