Anthropometric orbital measurements in a paediatric population

Abstract

Background: The orbit is a craniofacial structure that has many important clinical implications as it can be affected by traumatic, vascular, congenital, neoplastic, and endocrine disorders therefore, its craniofacial evaluation is important. This study aimed to document the bony anthropometric orbital measurements in a normal South African paediatric population using computed tomography (CT) scans. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of healthy children with ages ranging from 0 to 18 years. Ninety CT scans were obtained and categorized according to age and sex for the assessment of each parameter. Age group stratifications were 0-<2, 2-<4, 4-<10, 10-<14, and 14+ years. Intercanthal, interorbital, and lateral wall interorbital distances were measured. Patients with known syndromes or craniofacial defects were eliminated. Statistical data analysis was performed by using R statistical computing software. Results: Interorbital, intercanthal, and lateral wall interorbital distances increased with increasing age groups. Furthermore, for intercanthal and interorbital distances, males had greater distances than females in the 0-<2 years age group, and as the age group increased, females had greater distances than males in the 10-<14 years and 14+ years age groups. With regard to lateral wall interorbital distance, males had greater distances than females between the ages of 0–4 years and after 8 years. After 17 years of age, males and females reflected approximately similar lateral wall interorbital distances. Conclusion: This study reported anthropometric orbital measurements in a normal paediatric population using axial CT scans. These measurements may be beneficial when evaluating the presence of craniofacial abnormalities in children. It may also help serve as reference measurements for clinicians when performing reconstructive surgeries allowing them to perform safe and precise internal orbital dissection.

Keywords

• Congenital
• Craniofacial
• Intercanthal
• Interorbital
• Neoplastic