Relationship Between Bridging and Dimensions of Sella Turcica and Antero-Posterior Skeletal Malocclusions in Children

Interclinoid ligament calcification and dimensional changes in Sella Turcica seen on cephalometric radiographs are associated with some bone abnormalities as well as normal variations. Merging of anterior and posterior clinoid processes, known as Sella Turcica bridging or roofing and other changes in this area may occur as a part of large skeletal growth changes in body and may have association with craniofacial skeletal patterns development.
The aim of the present study was to compare Sella Turcica bridging and dimensions of patients with various skeletal patterns to investigate whether there is a correlation between Sella Turcica region changes with skeletal patterns or not, and on the other hand, to know if these changes could be used as predictive indices for growing patients skeletal patterns.
A total of 108 cephalometric radiographs (36 Class I, 36 Class II, and 36 Class III) were randomly selected for evaluation. Sella Turcica was traced on acetate paper and scanned to produce digital images. The dimensions of Sella Turcica were measured with computer software using the Silverman, Kisling, and Axelsson method. To determine bridging, Leonardi’s method was employed. To determine the association of Sella Turcica bridging and dimensions with different malocclusions, chi-squared test and one-way ANOVA were used.
The means of Sella Turcica lengths in three groups were significantly different (P = 0.01). Mean depth and diameter, however, were not significantly different between malocclusions. In addition, bridging was not significantly different among three malocclusions evaluated.
According to the results, mean length of Sella Turcica, rather than depth and diameter, was significantly associated with the type of malocclusion. Sella Turcica cavity length is larger in Cl III patients in comparison with Cl I ones and may have predictive value in some instances.