The Morphology of the Sella Turcica in Monozygotic Twins

Abstract

The purpose was to compare the sella turcica morphology of individuals within pairs of monozygotic twins with normal karyotype and to analyze the similarity between the observed morphology and the morphology of non-twins at the same age with normal karyotype. Profile radiographs from 84 individuals of 42 twin pairs (18 male and 24 female pairs, aged 18–23 years) comprised the material. Sella turcica measurements from non-twins aged 6–21 years were used as normal reference. Length, depth and diameter of the sella turcica were measured and controlled by re-measurements. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for comparison of individuals within twin pairs. For comparison of twins and non-twins, normal standard values for length, depth and diameter were subtracted from the twin values. For the mean values of these differences, confidence limits p values and t values were calculated. The study showed that the size of the sella turcica may be partly similar and partly dissimilar within the pair of monozygotic twins. Statistical evaluation of the data showed correlations between length, depth and diameter of the sella turcica between the two twin individuals in the same twin pair. Differences in sizes are observed between individuals in the twin material and individuals in the non-twin material. As a conclusion, the twin males were more similar within the twin pair, but deviated more from the non-twin material than the females. Female twins had more discrepancy within the twin pair, but deviated less from the non-twin material than the males.