The purpose of this work is to: - Recall the normal anatomy of the sellar and suprasellar region. - Illustrate the contribution of MRI in the exploration of this region, specifying the origin of the tumour, its extension, its relationship with surrounding structures, especially theoptic chiasm.

The sellar and suprasellar region has a central location in the base ofskull. It consists of fine and complex neurovascular structures. Understanding anatomy can help to develop a differential diagnosis. The pituitary fossa contains the pituitary gland, consisting of adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis. -Pituitary glandsize (height) varies with age and gender: 6 mm in children, 8 mm in men and postmenopausal women, 10 mm in premenopausal and up to 12 mm in lactating women. The most common pituitary abnormalities are pituitary adenoma, Rathke's cyst, and craniopharyngioma....

- This region is a relatively small area in the base of skull. It contains neurovascular structures that directly cause pathological processes or that are involved in the pathologybecause of the compact environment. - The sellar and suprasellar region pathology in children is very varied. Yet some pathologies are more common. - CT is useful for delimiting the bone margins of the sella. It is useful to evaluate bone changes related to pathological processes. - MRI provides detailed information of the content. It’s fundamental preoperative...

- Sellar and suprasellar region contain complex neurovascular structures. - Understanding anatomy can help to develop a differential diagnosis. -MRI is the method of choice for imaging, CT is secondary in some situations, particularly for calcification.MRI is performed after endocrine biological tests, which aredirected to explore this region alone or in combination with the cerebral parenchyma.

Osborn A, Blaser S, Salzman K. Sella and Pituitary. In: Diagnostic Imaging: Brain. Salt Lake City,UT:Amirsys, 2004.