Sella Turcica Measurement: An Index for Skull-Base Reconstructive Surgery

The research was conducted to radiologically measure the dimensions of sella turcica using skull x-rays amongst Port Harcourt residents. The research examined the length, depth and anteroposterior diameter of a total of 200 skull radiographs. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 120females and 80 males from two different hospitals (University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital) of which their age ranged from 18-50years. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 20.0 and presented in table with mean scores, standard deviation, variance, standard error and percentages. The result revealed that the age ranged from 18-50years. 31-40, 41-50 made up the greater percentage of the population. The males have a higher mean values for length, AP diameter and depth when compared to that of the females. (male: Length: 13.33mm, AP diameter = 11.70mm, Depth = 11.40) (Female: Length = 13.56, AP diameter = 11.20mm, depth = 8.38mm 11.40mm) respectively. There was a significant correlation at the 0.001 level of the mean length, AP diameter and depth. However, there is significant difference between length and depth. AP diameter and length at P-value <0.05. From the Z-test score analysis, the mean length for the sella turcica shows statistically a non- significant differences in the length of the male sella turcica when compared to female, the mean depth for the sella turcica shows a statistically significant differences in the depth of male sella turcica when compared to the female. Also the mean anteroposterior diameter shows a statistically significant difference in the AP diameter of male sella turcica when compared to the female. The data obtained will be useful in the management and diagnosis of clinical conditions associated with pituitary gland.

Key Words: sella turcica, pituitary gland, Skull