%A Ize-Iyamu, Idia %T Sella turcica shape, linear dimensions, and cervical vertebrae staging in preorthodontic patients in Benin City, Nigeria %9 Original Article %D 2014 %J Sahel Medical Journal %R 10.4103/1118-8561.146821 %P 151-158 %V 17 %N 4 %U https://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2014;volume=17;issue=4;spage=151;epage=158;aulast=Ize-Iyamu %8 October 1, 2014 %X Background: The sella turcica is one of the commonly used orthodontic landmarks in determining and diagnosing various problems of the facial skeleton; with the shape and linear dimensions found to vary in different types of skeletal classes especially during puberty where significant changes of the sella turcica occur. These pubertal changes can be assessed using the stage of maturation of the  cervical vertebrae and a method; the Cervical vertebrae Maturation (CVM) method which could aid in the clinical determination of optimal treatment modalities. Materials and Methods: The sella turcica and first six cervical vertebrae were assessed on the cephalometric radiographs of 106 untreated orthodontic patients. Correlations between variables were determined by using the SPSS (version 16) software. Results: A normal sella turcica shape was the most frequently occurring in 65 (61.3%) of the total sample population. Skeletal Class II was the most predominant craniofacial problem in 53 (50%) and in 13 (46.4%) in CVM Stage 3, with a significant difference in the diameter, P < 0.05 in females with a skeletal Class I pattern. Maxillary prognathism with an increased sella-nasion-maxillary point A (SNA) value >90° was highest in 50 (47.2%). There was a significant difference in the diameter of the sella turcica among gender with skeletal Class II. The largest diameter of 18 mm was observed in females and in CVM Stage 4. The mean area of the sella turcica is the same for both CVM Stages 1 and 5 (74.07 mm 2 ). The difference in the area of the sella turcica was highest in the transition between Stages 1 and 2 (8.81 mm 2 ) and similar between Stages 2, 3, and 4 (2.38 mm 2 ). The mean area of the sella turcica demonstrated a sequential increase from CVM Stages 2-6. Conclusion: The CVM stages may be utilized as a diagnostic tool in the clinic to differentiate the pubertal growth spurt and determining the best time for treating certain orthodontic problems. The linear dimensions of the sella turcica cannot be used as a diagnostic tool in determining skeletal classes. %0 Journal Article %I Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications %@ 1118-8561