Comparison of cervical vertebral anomalies and sella turcica bridging in different growth stages with various vertical skeletal growth patterns

The Relationship Between Orthodontic Malocclusion and Morphological Features of Sella Turcica Bridging and Ponticulus Posticus

Background and Objectives: Recent years have been marked by a search for new relationships between malocclusions and the morphological features of the cranial base and upper cervical spine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between skeletal orthodontic malocclusions and the morphological features of sella turcica bridging (STB) and ponticulus posticus (PP). Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 300 randomly selected pre-orthodontic treatment patients aged 7-40 years. Cephalometric analysis was performed twice by two researchers. The patients were divided into three groups according to the type of skeletal malocclusion. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 29.0 software. Results: The prevalence of incomplete PP was 40%, and the prevalence of complete PP was 11.33% and was significantly more common in males (56.7%). STB had a prevalence of 52.67% (15.67% complete, 37.0% partial), with a significantly higher prevalence in females (60.1%, p < 0.001). PP and STB were more common in Class II patients, followed by Class I and Class III. However, only PP showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.042). According to logistic regression, men were twice as likely to have an open groove of PP (p = 0.015), while females had higher odds of partial and complete STB (p < 0.05). Class II malocclusion increases the odds of type 2 and type 4 PP as well as partial STB. However, it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The morphological features of sella turcica bridging and ponticulus posticus were related to sex and the orthodontic skeletal pattern. Ponticulus posticus was more prevalent in males, while sella turcica bridging was more prevalent in females; both conditions were more common in patients with a Class II skeletal pattern. Males were more likely to have an open groove of ponticulus posticus, whereas females were twice as likely to have both forms of sella turcica bridging.

How successful is the CatBoost classifier in diagnosing different dental anomalies in patients via sella turcica and vertebral morphologic alteration?

BACKGROUND

To investigate how successfully the classification of patients with and without dental anomalies was achieved through four experiments involving different dental anomalies.

METHODS

Lateral cephalometric radiographs (LCRs) from 526 individuals aged between 14 and 22 years were included. Four experiments involving different dental anomalies were created. Experiment 1 included the total dental anomaly group and control group (CG). Experiment 2 only had dental agenesis and a CG. Experiment 3 consisted of only palatally impacted canines and the CG. Experiment 4 comprised patients with various dental defects (transposition, hypodontia, agenesis-palatally affected canine, peg-shaped laterally, hyperdontia) and the CG. Twelve sella measurements and assessments of the ponticulus posticus and posterior arch deficiency were given as input. The target was to distinguish between anomalies and controls. The CatBoost algorithm was applied to classify patients with and without dental anomalies.

RESULTS

In order from lowest to highest, the predictive accuracies of the experiments were as follows: experiment 4 < experiment 2 < experiment 3 < experiment 1. The sella area (SA) (mm2) was the most important variable in experiment 1. The most significant variable in prediction model of experiment 2 was sella height posterior (SHP) (mm). Sella area (SA) (mm2) was again the most relevant variable in experiment 3. The most important variable in experiment 4 was sella height median (SHM) (mm).

CONCLUSIONS

Every prediction model from the four experiments prioritized different variables. These findings may suggest that related research should focus on specific traits from a diagnostic perspective.

Relationship of the Morphology and Size of Sella Turcica with Dental Anomalies and Skeletal Malocclusions

This study aimed to assess the relationship of the morphology and size of the sella turcica (ST) with dental anomalies and skeletal malocclusions. This cross-sectional study was conducted on records of fixed orthodontic patients treated between 2013 and 2022. Cephalometric analysis was performed to determine the anteroposterior and vertical skeletal patterns. Preoperative panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms, intraoral photographs, and primary dental casts of patients were used to detect dental anomalies. Gender, sagittal and vertical skeletal patterns, dental anomalies, and dimensions (length, depth, and diameter), and morphology of the ST were all recorded according to the lateral cephalograms of patients. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way and two-way ANOVA, Chi-square test, and log rank test (alpha = 0.05). The depth and diameter of the ST had no significant correlation with gender (p > 0.05); however, the length of the ST was significantly longer in males than females (p < 0.05). The morphology of the ST had a significant correlation with gender (p < 0.05). The ST morphology had a significant correlation with the anteroposterior skeletal pattern, microdontia, and tooth impaction as well (p < 0.05). The present results revealed a significant correlation of the ST morphology with the anteroposterior skeletal pattern, microdontia, and tooth impaction.

Evaluation of associations between condylar morphology, ramus height, and mandibular plane angle in various vertical skeletal patterns: a digital radiographic study

Background

To evaluate condylar morphology, ramus height, and asymmetry indexes in patients with different vertical skeletal patterns and to determine the association between condylar and ramal measurements with the mandibular plane angle.

Methods

Dental panoramic radiographs of 60 patients with different skeletal patterns were evaluated. According to the cranial base (Sella-Nasion)-mandibular plane (SN-MP) angle, the patients were divided into three groups: normal angle (NA), low angle (LA), and high angle (HA). The condylar area, condylar perimeter, condylar heights, and ramus height were measured, and the asymmetry index value of each measurement was calculated. A one-way analysis of variance as well as a post hoc Tukey and Kruskall-Wallis tests were used to determine intergroup differences. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between all measurements and SN-MP.

Results

The intergroup comparison of condylar area, condylar perimeter, condylar heights, and ramus height measurements showed that the patients in the LA group have statistically significantly greater values compared to those in the HA group. A statistically significant difference was detected between the NA and LA groups only in the condylar area measurements. There was no statistical difference only in the ramus height measurements between the NA and HA groups. Asymmetry index values of the groups were similar. The negative correlations were found between all measurements and the SN-MP angle.

Conclusion

HA individuals have lower ramus heights and smaller condylar morphologies than NA and LA individuals. In addition, as the SN-MP angle increases, the condyle dimensions and ramus height decrease, and this is a clinically important finding.

Sella turcica bridging: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Sella turcica bridging (STB) has significant implications during neurosurgery, since it alters regional anatomy; however, no studies have investigated the global prevalence of STB. Our systematic review aimed to establish the global prevalence of STB, in specimens/individuals with and without comorbidities, in males and females, and of partial, complete, unilateral, and bilateral bridging.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar with various key words relating to Sella turcica bridging. Quantitative data were extracted and statistically analysed.

RESULTS

Eighty-two studies satisfied our inclusion criteria. The mean prevalence of STB was 26.54%, and most prevalent in Europe. STB was detected more frequently using radiological investigations. STB was less prevalent in healthy individuals (21.12%) when compared to individuals with comorbidities (33.31%). Partial STB was found to be the more prevalent in both individuals with (41.06%) and without (21.55%) comorbidities. The prevalence of unilateral and bilateral STB was only studied in healthy individuals, with unilateral bridging being the more prevalent (6.26% vs 3.84%).

CONCLUSION

The global overall prevalence of Sella turcica bridging in the general population was found to be higher than previously thought. Anatomical and embryological textbooks should consider including information on STB in their texts, due to its considerable prevalence and effects to the regional anatomy.