Correlative study of size and morpholgy of sella turcica and skeletal maturity indicators with cervical vertebrae maturation indicator (CVMI): A lateral cephalometric study

Background: Sella turcica and cervical vertebrae are recognized on lateral cephalometric radiographs and routinely traced for cephalometric analysis. Aim: The purpose of present study was to measure the size and describe the morphology of sellaturcica and cervical vertebrae maturation indicator in different skeletal ages. Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 200 subjects of which 100 males and 100 females in age group of 10-30 years included in the study. Linear dimensions which include length, depth and anteroposterior diameter are measured and shape of sella turcica and cervical vertebrae maturation was analysed in different skeletal age groups. ANOVA and unpaired-T test were used for statistical analysis. Results: In the present study, the different morphological shape of sella turcica seen are normal (upper contour of anterior wall of sella turcica appears to be perpendicular to floor) 49.3% followed by oblique anterior wall 20.7%,double contour of floor 18.7%, sella turcica bridge 6.7%, irregular dorsum sella 3.3%, pyramidal shape 1.3%. There was difference in the linear measurements of depth, and anterio-posterior diameter in each age group which increased as age increased and the difference was statistically significant with Pvalue < 0.05. Cervical vertebrae maturation indicator (CVMI) showed highly statistical significant difference for males and females. Conclusion: The most common shape of sella turcica in the study population was normal shape. There was gradual increase in the size of sella turcica as age advances. Cervical vertebrae maturation indicator showed that females mature at an early age as compared to males. Chronological age shows significant difference in comparison to skeletal age.