Morphological and Morphometric Analysis of the Orbital Aperture and Their Correlation With Age and Gender: A Retrospective Digital Radiographic Study.

Vishal Malhotra,Priti Chaudhary,Manoj Mathur,Anjali Singal,Adil Asghar,Rajan K Singla,Apurba Patra

doi:10.7759/cureus.17739

Abstract

PurposePrecise knowledge about clinically observed bony orbital aging is needed for surgical planning for acceptable cosmetic results. The effect of age and gender on the facial skeleton and orbital aperture has been appreciated earlier, but its quantification remains ignored. The purpose of this study was to evaluate age- and sex-related changes in the shape of the orbital aperture and construct a reference data set for the aging phenomenon in Indians.MethodsTwo hundred digital radiographs (Water’s/frontal view) of the skull, obtained for various reasons, were evaluated. The radiographs comprised 107 males and 93 females aged between 10 and 60 years (10-59 years). Orbital shape, height/width, and interorbital/biorbital distances were noted, and orbital indices (OIs) were calculated. Orbital parameters thus obtained were compared between right and left sides and males and females. The relation of the parameters with age and gender was analyzed.ResultsFour types of orbits, round (33.5%), elliptical (30.5%), rectangular (27.5%), and square (9.5%), were noted in the study population. The average value of height and width of the right orbit was found to be higher than that of the left (p > 0.05). Male patients had higher (p > 0.05) and wider (p > 0.05) orbits than females. The right OI (81.55 ± 5.30) was higher than the left (80.75 ± 4.80) (p > 0.05). When comparatively evaluated between gender, both orbits were found to be of the microseme type with a mere difference (p > 0.05). The average interorbital/biorbital distance was 1.27 ± 2.11 and 9.78 ± 4.40 cm, respectively, without any gender difference. No significant relation was found between the age change and the parameters defined (p > 0.05), except in one age group (10-19 years).ConclusionsOrbital dimensions showed no association with age and gender except in one age group (10-19 years); a pubertal growth spurt in females might be causing this phenomenon. The morphometric data may be useful in forensic anthropology and better planning for reconstructive surgeries in the orbito-maxillary region.

Highlights

The orbital cavities are situated on both sides of the sagittal section of the skull, in between the cranium and facial skeleton
Orbital dimensions showed no association with age and gender except in one age group (10-19 years); a pubertal growth spurt in females might be causing this phenomenon
The morphometric data may be useful in forensic anthropology and better planning for reconstructive surgeries in the orbito-maxillary region

Summary

Introduction

The orbital cavities are situated on both sides of the sagittal section of the skull, in between the cranium and facial skeleton. Orbital anatomy is vital for clinical assessment and treatment of ocular pathologies. Physical anthropologists use these traits to explore population relationships, trace population origins, and examine human variation and evolution. Studies have shown that the role of the bony orbit in determining population affinity cannot be substituted by any other cranial or facial trait [1]. Accurate knowledge about the bony orbit is desirable at multiple stages of cosmetic surgery. The lack of images of the prepathological stage of the affected orbit forced clinicians to understand normal deviation for optimization of the outcome. Quantitative evaluation of the bony orbit is an integral part of craniofacial surgery and syndromology [2]

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