Diseases of the Sella Turcica and Parasellar Region

Knowledge of the anatomy in the regions of the sella turcica, suprasellar cistern, and cavernous sinus paired with clinical history and presentation is important for accurate image interpretation. Focused diagnosis of lesions in these regions requires identifying the anatomic location in which a lesion arises, evaluation of specific imaging findings inherent to the lesion as well as in the surrounding structures, and correlation with clinical presentation (symptoms and signs). It is important to determine whether a mass arises in the sella turcica versus the suprasellar cistern, and whether it involves both the sella turcica and suprasellar cistern. Imaging features of a sellar mass that should be assessed include: