SECTONAL ANATOMY OF NORMAL SELLA TURCICA REGION ON THE CORONAL CT IMAGING

Objective To study the appearances of sectional anatomy of normal sella turcica region on the coronal CT imaging. Methods Normal sella turcia region of 167 cases were examined with whole body CT equipment. The thin contrast CT scan was performed on coronal section, with the thinness of 1 5 2 0mm. Results The average height of the hypophysis(pituitary gland) was 4 6±2 1mm, with the range between 2 6 8 4mm.The length was 13 8±4 1mm. The height of the hypophysis was slightly decreased after the age over 50 years old. The shape of superior surface of the hypophysis usually was concave(43%), flat(35%) or convax(21%). The infundibulum may be slightly off midline in 26% normal cases. The shape and size of cavernous sinus usually were variable, the density of cavernous sinus was higher than that of the hypophysis on contrast enhancement CT imaging. Sellar floor was concave in 51% cases, and flat in 45% cases, but convax in only 4% cases. Thinning and lower density of normal sellar floor can be seen in 50(3%) cases. Conclusions Coronal thin CT scan is an effective model in displaying the sectional anatomy of sella turcica region. The form of the normal sella turcica is often variant. In order to decide a correct diagnose,all the signs of the sella turcica region(include the shape, size, densities of the hypophysis, infundibulum and sellar floors) ought to be observed.