Arch Craniofac Surg.  2017 Jun;18(2):89-91. 10.7181/acfs.2017.18.2.89.

A Statistical Analysis of Superior Orbital Fissure Width in Korean Adults using Computed Tomography Scans

• Park Y
• Kim Y

• KMID: 2384564
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7181/acfs.2017.18.2.89

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The superior orbital fissure is a small area that connects the middle cranial fossa and the orbit. Many studies have measured the size of the superior orbital fissure. However, there is no standard value for the size of the superior orbital fissure. Therefore, we conducted this study to provide the average size of the superior orbital fissure in Korean adults.
METHODS
We measured the widths of the superior orbital fissures of 142 patients using computed tomography scans. Because the width of the superior orbital fissure varies at different locations, we measured the superior orbital fissure width at the level of the optic canal.
RESULTS
In the males, the width of the superior orbital fissure on both sides was 3.79±0.93 mm, and these values were 3.79±0.96 mm for the left side and 3.783±0.92 mm for the right side. In the females, the widths of the superior orbital fissures were 3.62±1.35 mm on the left side, 3.69±1.18 mm on the right side, and 3.65±1.26 mm across both sides.
CONCLUSION
There were no significant differences between the males and females or between the left and right sides. The present study suggests that we may accept the hypothesis that a congenitally narrow superior orbital fissure may be a risk factor for the superior orbital fissure syndrome. Surgeons should take precaution with patients who have narrow superior orbital fissures during the perioperative period.

Keyword

Cranial nerves; Orbit; Tomography, X-ray computed

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Cranial Fossa, Middle
Cranial Nerves
Female
Humans
Male
Orbit*
Perioperative Period
Risk Factors
Surgeons
Tomography, X-Ray Computed