Comparing dimensions of sella turcica obtain by x-ray method and morphometry of dry human skulls

Abstract

Adeviation from normal size and shape of sella turcica can be an indication of a pathological condition of the pituitary gland. Most of the studies has been conducted on radio- graphical methods (X-ray and MRI) and few other studies also been reported on cadavers ,but to our knowledge no previous study has compared the dimensions of sella turcica on X-ray films and dry skull bones simultaneously on the same specimens. A total 15 dry human skulls with the intact sella turcica of unknown age and sex of north Indian origin were used. Measurements were firstly taken on dry skulls and the same specimens were subjected to X-rays. All the measurements were taken in according to three different methods (A, B & C) formulated for the two different materials for 
the radiographic films (A, B) and dry human skulls(C). The statistical analysis was done by SPSS 19.0 version.The mean values for AP-Length was found as 19.7±2.3, 9.0±1.7 and 10.2±1.2mm respectively for methods A, B & C. The depth was recorded as 4.6±0.9, 6.29±1.1 and 7.6±1.3mm for methods A, B & C. The area of sella calculated as 92.5 ±21.6, 56.2 ±13.6 and 277.4 ±12.9 mm for methods A, B & C respectively.The calculated area for sella turcica on X-Ray films is greater than the area calculated by measuring the dry skull bones. There has been variation in the measurement taken on radiographs by different reference points and methods.