Sella turcica anomalies on lateral cephalometric radiographs of Polish children

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of sella turcica anomalies on lateral cephalograms of children with malocclusion. To describe the craniofacial morphology in patients with sella turcica anomalies.

Methods: Lateral cephalograms obtained at ages 8-16 years (n = 431) were assessed for good visibility of cephalometric structures, including the sella turcica, and the absence of craniofacial congenital deformities; finally, 322 cephalograms were included and analysed. Subsequently, anomalies of sella turcica have been identified. Hypertrophic posterior clinoid process, hypotrophic posterior clinoid process and oblique contour of the floor were the abnormalities found that could not be classified based on literature. The study group consisted of 151 cephalograms with abnormal sella turcica, while the control group consisted of 171 cephalograms without any sellar pathology. Data normality has been tested using Shapiro-Wilk test. Correlations with age were made using Spearman correlation coefficient and those with sex were made using independence test with Yate's correction for continuity. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare between groups and subgroups. The level of significance has been established as p < 0.05.

Results: Sellar anomalies were found in 151 individuals (46.9%). Statistically significant differences between patients with normal and abnormal sellar morphology were found concerning: Pg:NB (p = 0.0009), 1+:NA (p = 0.0004) and 1-:NB (p = 0.012), indicating a more distal position of jaw structures in subjects with abnormal sella.

Conclusions: The finding that almost 50% of children with malocclusion have sellar abnormalities confirms a general aetiology of malocclusion. Sella turcica assessment should be carried out during cephalometric analysis.