Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.55(11) > 1007890

Choi, Lee, Chang, Lee, and Baek: Anatomical Location and Distribution of Supraorbital Notch and Foramen Evaluations Using Facial 3D Computed Tomography

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate anatomical locations and distributions of supraorbital notch and foramen using facial 3D computed tomography in the Korean adult population.

Methods

The study sample was composed of 87 adult patients with no history of trauma or ocular disease. The horizontal position of the supraorbital foramen or notch was recorded in relation to a vertical line defined by a reproducible hypothetical point, such as the nasion and mid-maxilla and the midpoint of the horizontal supraorbital plane. The distance and angle for each supraorbital foramen and notch were calculated from the defined vertical line. Furthermore, vertical distance from supraorbital plane, which was established using the highest points of both supraorbital rims, was obtained from the supraorbital foramen.

Results

The mean age of the 87 patients was 45.44 ± 8.34 years (range, 30-59 years). There were 66 eyes in the supraorbital notch and 108 eyes in the supraorbital foramen. There were no distributional differences between the 2 sides. The mean horizontal distance of both types was 23.95 ± 3.93 mm (range, 16.41-38.94 mm). The horizontal distance of male patients was longer than the female patients (25.18 ± 4.16 mm vs. 22.63 ± 3.19 mm, p < 0.001, based on independent t-test) and the horizontal distance of supraorbital notch was shorter than the supraorbital foramen (22.59 ± 3.18 mm vs. 26.18 ± 4.04 mm, respectively, p < 0.001, based on independent t-test). The mean vertical distance and mean angles of the supraorbital foramen were 3.02 ± 1.119 mm and 6.81 ± 2.31 degrees (°), respectively.

Conclusions

The present study described the anatomical location of each supraorbital opening type in Korean adults. According to horizontal distance, a surgeon can avoid iatrogenic injury of the supraorbital neurovascular complex, especially during brow surgery. In addition, the anatomy can aid in targeting supraorbital neurovascular complex in cases of nerve block.

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Figure 1.
Reference vertical line is defined as the line from reproducible 3 hypothetical points, such as nasion and mid-maxilla, and a midpoint of horizontal supraorbital plane. Horizontal distance is defined as the perpendicular distance from the reference vertical line in of the supraorbital foramen and supraorbital notch. Vertical distance is defined as the perpendicular distance from the supraorbital plane in the supraorbital foramen.
jkos-55-1573f1.tif
Figure 2.
There were 66 eyes (38%) in the supraorbital notch and 108 eyes (62%) in the supraorbital foramen.
jkos-55-1573f2.tif
Figure 3.
There were 23 patients (26%) with both supraorbital foramens, 44 patients (51%) with both supraorbital notches, and 20 patients (26%) with one supraorbital notch and one supraorbital foramen.
jkos-55-1573f3.tif
Figure 4.
The mean horizontal distance of males was 25.18 mm, and the standard deviation of horizontal distance was 4.16 mm.
jkos-55-1573f4.tif
Figure 5.
The mean horizontal distance of female was 22.63 mm, and the standard deviation of horizontal distance was 3.20 mm.
jkos-55-1573f5.tif
Table 1.
Comparison of shape distribution in each side
Supraorbital notch Supraorbital foramen p-value
Right eye (no. of eyes, %) 51 (58.6) 36 (41.4) 0.435
Left eye (no. of eyes, %) 57 (62.5) 30 (34.5)

By χ2; test; p < 0.05.

Table 2.
Comparison of shape distribution according to sex
Sex Supraorbital notch Supraorbital foramen p-value
Male (no. of eyes, %) 52 (57.8) 38 (42.2) 0.274
Female (no. of eyes, %) 56 (66.7) 28 (31.9)

By χ2; test; p < 0.05.

Table 3.
Comparison of horizontal distance with shape and sex
Male (84 eyes) Female (90 eyes) p-value Total
Supraorbital notch 23.76 ± 3.38 (n = 52) 21.51 ± 2.57 (n = 56) <0.001 22.59 ± 3.18 (n = 108)
Supraorbital foramen 27.13 ± 4.38 (n = 38) 24.88 ± 3.18 (n = 28) <0.001 26.18 ± 4.04 (n = 66)
p-value <0.001 <0.001 <0.001
Total 25.18 ± 4.16 (n = 90) 22.63 ± 3.19 (n = 84) <0.001

Values are presented as mean ± SD unless otherwise indicated.

By independent t-test; p < 0.05.

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