Evaluation of Dimension and Bridging of Sella Turcica and Presence of Ponticulus Posticus in Individuals With and Without Cleft: A Comparative Study

Objective Sella turcica abnormalities such as sella turcica bridging (STB) have been observed frequently among patients with craniofacial anomalies. Ponticulus posticus (PP) is an important structure and its presence causes complications during surgeries. Due to the importance of these structures, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of STB, PP, and dimensions of the sella turcica in individuals with and without cleft. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting Orthodontic and Radiology Departments in a public dental school, Tehran, Iran. Patients Eighty-three lateral cephalograms of individuals with cleft and ninety-two cephalograms of class I individuals without cleft. Main outcome measures Length, depth, and maximum anterior-posterior diameter (APD) of sella turcica, presence of STB (classified as types 1, 2, and 3), and PP. Results In the group with cleft, 19.3% of individuals had type I, 65.1%, type II, and 15.7%, type III STB. In the group without cleft, 15.2% had type I, 73.9%, type II, and 10.9%, type III STB. In the group with cleft, 65.1% of individuals had no PP, 24.1%, incomplete, and 10.8%, complete PP while in the group without cleft, 56.5% had no PP, 29 31.5%, incomplete, and 12%, complete PP. Conclusion The sella turcica dimensions, STB, and PP prevalence were not significantly different between individuals with and without cleft. The sella turcica length and prevalence of STB and PP were not affected by age, sex, and cleft type. However, the depth and the APD were affected by age.