Racial disparity in orbital morphology and spatial relations in unoperated Crouzon patients

Abstract

The altered orbital morphology of patients with Crouzon syndrome could have an impact on the planning of treatment in diverse populations, in spite of the confounding influences of different cranial suture synostosis. This study attempted to explore the differences in orbital characteristics between Asian, Caucasian patients with Crouzon syndrome, associated pansynostosis. Eighty-six preoperative computed tomograms (CT) were included (Asian Crouzon syndrome: n=10; Asian controls: n=24; Caucasian Crouzon syndrome: n=19; Caucasian controls: n=33) and measured using Mimics software (Materialise). Unique cephalometric measurements related to orbital morphology and position were designed. Crouzon syndrome and race both have interactive effects on protrusion of the globe (p=0.009) and medial horizontal angle (p=0.012) in the assessment of orbital morphology. They also interact in the width of the ethmoid sinus (p=0.009) and influence bilateral orbital relations. The anteroposterior orbital roof in Caucasian patients with Crouzon syndrome was shortened by 4.09mm (p=0.002) compared with Caucasian controls. However, in Asian patients this dimension developed normally. The anteroposterior orbital floor was significantly reduced to a similar extent in both Asian and Caucasian Crouzon patients (both p<0.001). The visual axes in Caucasian patients with Crouzon showed more inferior rotation, by 4.38° (p=0.031) than they did in Caucasian controls, but did not achieve a statistically significant difference in other comparisons. The effect of Crouzon syndrome on orbital malformation and placement is influenced by race, especially structures related to the ethmoid sinus. Asian patients need greater infraorbital advancement for better correction of orbital proptosis and aesthetic benefits, but may require less fronto-orbital advancement than Caucasian patients.