Comparative analysis of typical variability and relationship between the dimensional characteristics of the sella turcica and the pituitary gland according to magnetic resonance imaging data 

Ol'ga Yu. Aleshkina, Doctor of medical sciences, professor, head of the sub-department of human anatomy, Saratov State Medical University named after V.I. Razumovsky (112 Bolshaya Kazachya street, Saratov, Russia), E-mail: aleshkina_ou@mail.ru
Anton A. Devyatkin, Assistant of the sub-department of human anatomy, Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky (112 Bolshaya Kazachya street, Saratov, Russia), E-mail: devyatkinanton@yandex.ru
Tat'yana S. Bikbaeva, Candidate of medical sciences, associate professor, associate professor of the sub-department of human anatomy, Saratov State Medical University named after V.I. Razumovsky (112 Bolshaya Kazachya street, Saratov, Russia), E-mail: bikbaeva_ts@mail.ru 
Irina A. Polkovova, Candidate of medical sciences, associate professor, associate professor of the sub-department of healthcare and public health, Saratov Medical University “Reaviz” (building 10, Verhniy rynok street, Saratov, Russia), E-mail: polkovovaia@reaviz.ru
Nijat Khanlar Ogly Kuliyev, postgraduate student, Saratov State Medical University named after V.I. Razumovsky (112 Bolshaya Kazachya street, Saratov, Russia), E-mail: nidjatkuliv@yandex.ru

Background. The study of morphometric variability of the sella turcica and pituitary gland in individuals with different types of skull base is of theoretical importance and remains relevant in practical medicine for the diagnosis of pathological processes and the development of new methods of surgical intervention. The purpose of the research is to study the typical variability of the linear characteristics of the sella turcica, pituitary gland and their relationship according to MRI data. Materials and methods. The object of the study was 100 magnetic resonance imaging of the brain of men and women of the 1st and 2nd periods of adulthood, divided according to the size of the basilar angle into three craniotypes: flexi-, medio- and platybasilar. The dimensional characteristics of the sella turcica and pituitary gland were studied using the digital craniometry method, and a statistical analysis of the data obtained was carried out. Results. With an increase in the values of the basilar angle of the skull base from the flexibasilar type to the platybasilar type, a change in the linear parameters of both the sella turcica and the pituitary gland occurs. In the sella turcica, the length and width increase by 6.9% and 13.6%, respectively, while the height decreases by 13.0% (p < 0.05). The pituitary gland is characterized by a statistically significant increase in its length by 19.5% and width by 11.2% (p < 0.05), while the height of the gland does not change. Correlation analysis revealed relationships of different strength and direction between the longitudinal and latitudinal parameters of the sella turcica and the pituitary gland. Conclusions. The angle of the skull base (craniotype) affects the anatomical characteristics of the sella turcica and pituitary gland, as well as their relationship. 

sella turcica, pituitary gland, skull base angle, craniotype 

Aleshkina O.Yu., Devyatkin A.A., Bikbaeva T.S., Polkovova I.A., Kuliyev N.H. Comparative analysis of typical variability and relationship between the dimensional characteristics of the sella turcica and the pituitary gland according to magnetic resonance imaging data. Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Povolzhskiy region. Meditsinskie nauki = University proceedings. Volga region. Medical sciences. 2024;(3):129–139. (In Russ.). doi: 10.21685/2072-3032-2024-3-11