Cephalometric Assessment of Sella Turcica Morphology and Dimensions in Patients with Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online May, 2026
Cephalometric Assessment of Sella Turcica Morphology and Dimensions in Patients with Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This review aimed to analyze the size and morphology of the Sella Turcica (ST) in 2-dimensional cephalometric radiographs of individuals with non-syndromic cleft lip and or palate (CLP/CP) compared with non-cleft individuals.
Methods
A comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases was conducted without language and date restrictions until October 12, 2024. Studies were included that assessed ST dimensions in lateral cephalograms and compared the patients with non-syndromic CLP or CP and non-cleft individuals. The studies’ quality assessment was assessed using the JBI case-control guidelines and the Anatomical Quality Assurance checklist. Quantitative analysis was performed using the random-effects meta-analysis model. The GRADE approach was employed to evaluate the certainty of evidence.
Results
Out of 1087 studies, 10 met the inclusion criteria, and 6 were included in the quantitative analysis. Of all, 7 studies were rated moderate, 2 low, and 1 high quality. Unilateral CLP (UCLP) cohort showed statistically significant smaller dimensions for length (MD = −1.22; 95% CI: −2.21, −0.24), depth (MD = −0.65; 95% CI: −1.41, −0.11), and area (MD = −4.75; 95% CI: −7.22, −2.28) and the odds of ST bridging were more than twice compared to non-cleft control. No significant differences were observed in ST dimensions in bilateral CLP versus non-Cleft and UCLP.
Conclusion
The evidence of differences in ST dimensions between non-cleft individuals and patients with UCLP is weak, owing to a greater risk of bias resulting from inadequate reporting of design variability, participant demographics, and measurement methods. Future studies with better methodology and larger sample sizes are needed.
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