Prevalence and Dimensions of Complete Sella Turcica Bridges and Its Clinical Significance

Abstract

The ossification of ligamentous structures in various part of the body may result in clinical problems. The complete sella turcica bridge corresponds to the complete ossification of the interclinoid ligaments. Fifty dry adult skull bones were studied for presence of ossified interclinoid ligaments. Three skull bones show sella turcica bridge, of which one shows bilateral and two show unilateral. The ligamentous or bony interclinoid connections have important neuronal and vascular relations and are both clinically and surgically important. The knowledge of detailed anatomy of the interclinoid ligament can increase the success of diagnostic evaluation and surgical approaches to the region. The existence of a bony caroticoclinoid foramen may cause compression, tightening, or stretching of the internal carotid artery. Further, removing the anterior clinoid process is an important step in regional surgery; the presence of a bony caroticoclinoid foramen may have high risk.