The Relationship Between Sphenoidal Sinus and Sella Turcica Morphometry in the Turkish Population: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Purpose The anatomical position of the sphenoidal sinus (SS) is very important for neurosurgeons because of the transsphenoidal approach to the pituitary gland. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the volume and shape of the SS and its relationship with the morphometry of the sella turcica. Methods This study included CT images of 282 males and 258 females with a mean age of 50.52 years (range 18–75) who underwent head CT. The morphometric values of the sella turcica and the volume of the SS were measured on the included radiologic images. Measurements were made on the sagittal slice closest to the midline in T1 sequence. Morphometric measurements were made with Micro Dicom Viewers software program and volume measurements were made with ITK SNAP software program. Results In this study, 4 types of SS shapes were obtained in the whole population: amorphous, pentagonal, triangular and quadrilateral. The mean SS volume was 7055.88 mm³ in males and 5694.48 mm³ in females and a statistically significant difference was observed (p < 0.001). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between the sexes in the width and surface area parameters of the sella turcica (p < 0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, surgeons who want to access the pituitary gland and its vicinity via the transsphenoidal route should know the anatomy of the region, the variations in the region and the relationship of the SS with the surrounding structures. We believe that the information presented in our study will guide the surgeons in their interventions.