AIM: To investigate the morphology of sella turcica (ST) in Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) using computed tomography.

MATERIAL and METHODS: The size and shape of ST were examined using the radiological images of 32 CM-I patients (21 female/11 male, mean age: 26.09 ± 15.39 years), and 32 normal participants (19 female/13 male, mean age: 28.56 ± 19.37 years).

RESULTS: The height, diameter, width, and length of ST were similar in CM-I and control groups (p>0.05). According to the Axelsson classification, the ST shape in CM-I was identified as normal in 16 patients (50%), oblique anterior wall in 2 patients (6.25%), irregularity in 6 patients (18.75%), and pyramidal shape of the dorsum sellae in 8 patients (25%). In controls, the ST shape was identified as normal in 18 patients (56.25%), oblique anterior wall in 4 patients (12.50%), irregularity in 2 patients (6.25%), and pyramidal shape of the dorsum sellae in 8 patients (25%). According to the Camp classification, the ST shape in CM-I was identified as oval in 6 patients (18.80%), round in 21 patients (65.60%), and flattened in 5 patients (15.60%). In controls, the ST shape was identified as oval in 19 subjects (59.40%), round in 10 patients (31.30%), and flattened in 3 patients (9.40%).

CONCLUSION: The size of ST in patients with CM-I was similar to that in healthy partcipants. The only difference in ST morphology was that patients with CM-I had more round-shaped sella, whereas normal subjects had more oval-shaped sella.