Radiology of the adult sella turcica

Radiographic changes of the sella turcica or pituitary fossa reflect multiple disease processes of intracranial, cranial and systemic origin. Their value as diagnostic aids is related to the fact that the development of the fossa depends somewhat upon that of the pituitary gland, which it partially encloses. Further, many vascular and neural structures about the base of the brain lie close to the fossa. Also, it is vulnerable to increased intracranial pressure. The ease of radiographic demonstration of the sellar components from many planes and angles allows early recognition of pathologic alterations. Radiographic anatomy, both normal and abnormal, will be discussed, as well special diagnostic procedures such as computed tomography, angiography and cerebral pneumography.