I. Kjaer et al., Pituitary gland and Sella turcica in human trisomy 21 fetuses related to axial skeletal development, AM J MED G, 80(5), 1998, pp. 494-500
The purpose of the present investigation was to study the sella turcica/pit
uitary gland region in trisomy 21 fetuses and to relate the findings in the
region to the ossification pattern in the axial skeleton formed by the cra
nial base and spine. Material from 22 human fetuses with trisomy 21, CRL 80
mm to CRL 190 mm, corresponding to gestational ages from 14 to 21 weeks, w
as examined and compared with material from gestation-matched normal contro
ls, After radiography, tissue blocks from the cranial base, including the p
ituitary gland, were examined and compared with those of normal fetuses, Fo
ur different types of sella turcica/pituitary gland morphology were observe
d. Thirteen fetuses (Type I) were morphologically normal, Minor abnormaliti
es occurred in the sella turcica and pituitary gland (adenopituitary gland
tissue pharyngeally) in six fetuses (Types II and III). There was agreement
between the histologically recorded deviations in the sella turcica and th
e radiographic observations of the basisphenoid bone. In three eases (Type
IV) out of 22, more pronounced structural abnormalities occurred in the sel
la turcica, and radiographically the basisphenoid bone appeared cleft, All
sella turcica changes observed in trisomy 21 were situated anteriorly in th
e base of the sella, In all cases the basilar part of the occipital bone wa
s normal, Minor changes in the sella turcica region were mainly accompanied
by cervical vertebral abnormalities, while the most severe abnormalities o
ccurred in association with malformations in the lumbar vertebrae. There wa
s no association between sella turcica malformations and the absence or pre
sence of the nasal bone, Am. J. Med, Genet. 80:494-500, 1998. (C) 1998 Wile
y-Liss, Inc.