Morphometric Evaluation of the Lacrimal Sac Fossa in Anatolian Population Using Multidetector Computed Tomography

Abstract

Background: To investigate the morphometric characteristics of the lacrimal sac fossa in Anatolian population using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images in surgical aspect.Materials and Methods: A total of 77 cranial MDCT scans were evaluated. The dimensions of the maxillary and the lacrimal bones forming the lacrimal sac fossa were measured in 3 axial planes (up-per, middle, and lower planes).Results: The mean maximum thickness of the maxillary bone at the upper, middle and lower planes were: 3.58 mm, 4.27 mm, and 5.81 mm; the mean midpoint thickness at each plane were: 2.76 mm, 2.51 mm, and 1.48 mm; the mean lacrimal bone thickness at each plane were: 0.72 mm, 0.65 mm, and 0.66 mm; the mean distance between anterior and posterior lacrimal crests at each plane were: 5.96 mm, 8.1 mm, and 4.63 mm; the mean angle between the lacrimal bone and the sagittal plane in males and females at the middle plane were: 132.73° and 131.46°; the mean length of the lacrimal sac fossa in males and females were: 15.82 mm and 14.02 mm.Conclusions: In Anatolian population, bone thicknesses of the lacrimal sac fossa were higher in ma-les, while the angle between the lacrimal bone and the sagittal plane was higher in females. This study indicated that osteotomies, which are the main target of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) inter-ventions, can be easily performed in the Anatolian population.