Ontogenesis of the Sella Turcica among Egyptians: Forensic and Radiological Study

Abstract

Introduction: The sella turcica has gained importance as a stable bony landmark in cephalometric studies. Aim of the work: The aim of the work was to explore the changes that accompany postnatal ontogeny of the sella turcica until full development, and to verify its contribution in age estimation and sexual assignment among Egyptians. Subjects and methods: Six selected measurements of the sella turcica of 215 Egyptian patients were assessed using Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT). The patients represented different ages and were referred to the Radiodiagnosis and Intervention Department. The gathered data were then subjected to statistical analysis including correlation and regression analysis. Results: The measurements of the sella showed a strong correlation with age. Three selected measurements demonstrated significant sexual dimorphism (sella width, sella height anterior and median in the subjects aged 20 to 25 years). Six regression equations were derived. The accuracy achieved by the combined parameters in the younger group (aged less than 25 years) was higher than that of the older individuals. Conclusion: The results achieved from the current study are useful tools in the determination of age and sex in both forensic and bio-archeological disciplines. However, further studies concerning the shape are strongly suggested.

Potential role of the sella turcica X-ray imaging aspects for sex estimation in the field of forensic anthropology: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…After applying all the criteria in the established phases described in the Materials and methods section, 16 studies were selected [ 5 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 20–22 , 25–30 ]. Of these, three [ 5 , 22 , 27 ] were excluded from the meta-analysis as they did not present enough data for statistical comparisons.…”

“…Of the articles included, six performed correlations with the skeletal class [ 5 , 9 , 17 , 22 , 26 , 28 ] ( Table 1 ). Regarding the type of examination, seven articles used lateral view radiographs [ 5 , 8 , 16 , 20 , 22 , 26 , 28 ]; and nine CT scans [ 9 , 11 , 12 , 17 , 21 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 30 ], five of which were CBCTs [ 9 , 12 , 17 , 27 , 29 ]. Most studies digitally analyzed the images [ 8 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 17 , 20 , 21 , 25 , 29 , 30 ] ( n = 12).…”

“…Regarding the type of examination, seven articles used lateral view radiographs [ 5 , 8 , 16 , 20 , 22 , 26 , 28 ]; and nine CT scans [ 9 , 11 , 12 , 17 , 21 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 30 ], five of which were CBCTs [ 9 , 12 , 17 , 27 , 29 ]. Most studies digitally analyzed the images [ 8 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 17 , 20 , 21 , 25 , 29 , 30 ] ( n = 12). Results regarding the tests performed and types of analysis are described in Table 2 .…”

“…Several investigations have been carried out with non-syndromic individuals in different populations aiming at evaluating the morphology and parameters of normality of the ST [ 4–31 ]. For this purpose, cephalometric radiographs (CR) [ 4–8 , 16 , 18–20 , 22–24 , 26 , 27 ], as well as multislice computed tomography (MSCT) [ 10 , 11 , 13–15 , 21 , 25 , 30 ] and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images have been employed [ 9 , 12 , 17 , 27 , 29 , 31 ]. Local and regional validation of these methods are of great relevance because of possible variations in different populations, and some studies have already found significant differences in ST morphology among different ethnic groups [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Morphology of the Sella Turcica: A Meta-Analysis Based on the Results of 18,364 Patients

“…This plane is described as a line connecting the left orbital and both Porion points, the most superiorly positioned points of each external auditory meatus [ 109 , 110 ]. To estimate the anterior height, ST was used as a landmark; to estimate the posterior height, the posterior clinoid process (PClin) was chosen; and to estimate the median height, a point midway between TS and PClin was used [ 22 , 28 , 83 , 88 ]. When analyzing the results obtained in our meta-analysis, both anterior and posterior ST heights varied considerably between the two radiological modalities, i.e., CT and CG.…”