Size and shape of the sella turcica in subjects with Down syndrome

To study size and shape of the sella turcica in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and compare them to matched controls without the syndrome.

The Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. Lateral cephalograms of sixty DS individuals and sixty controls were obtained with an age range of 12-22 years.

The length, depth, and diameter of the sella turcica were calculated. In addition, the shape of the sella turcica was described as either normal or with aberrations such as; oblique anterior wall, sella turcica bridging, extremely low sella turcica, irregularity in the posterior part of the dorsum sella, and pyramidal shape of the dorsum sella.

An increase in the diameter and depth of sella turcica was found more frequently in DS group as compared to controls (P < 0.05 and P < 0.0001, respectively). When the shape of the sella turcica was examined, a normal sella turcica shape was found less often in DS (P < 0.05). The most common abnormality detected was an oblique anterior wall (P < 0.05). A sella turcica bridge, irregularity in the posterior wall, and a pyramidal shape of sella turcica were present simultaneously in some individuals with DS (P < 0.01).

The sella turcica in DS differs in size and morphology when compared to individuals without the syndrome. The diameter and depth of the sella turcica in DS are larger than controls, with a tendency toward more abnormalities in the shape of sella turcica.