Diagnostic Evaluation of the Lesions of the Sellar and Parasellar Region

The sellar and parasellar region is an anatomically complex area that represents a critical junction for important contiguous structures (Ruscalleda, 2005). While the sellar region has specific anatomical landmarks, the parasellar region is not clearly delineated. It includes, laterally, the dural walls of the cavernous sinus (Smith, 2005), and is in close relation with the basisphenoid and sphenoid sinus inferiorly, and superiorly with the suprasellar subarachnoid spaces (Ruscalleda, 2005). The nasopharynx and the temporal lobes are also closely related to the region (Smith, 2005). A wide range of neoplastic, inflammatory, infectious, developmental and vascular diseases may embroil vital structures in this region (Freda & Post, 1999). The most frequently involved are the brain parenchyma, meninges, the optic pathways and cranial oculomotor nerves (III, IV, VI) and the V1 and V2 branches of the trigeminal nerve, major blood vessels, hypothalamo-pituitary system, tuber cinereum, anterior third ventricle and bone compartments.