Role of Inferior Orbital Wall Morphologic Properties in Isolated Orbital Blow-Out Fracture

Abstract

Purpose: To compare inferior orbital wall morphology between isolated inferior and medial orbital wall fracture patients. Methods: The morphologic properties of patients with isolated blow-out fractures involving the medial wall or inferior wall treated from August 2004 to August 2009 were reviewed. The cross-sectional area, thickness, gradient, and curvature of the inferior wall were measured via orbital CT in the opposite non-traumatized eye. Results: Patients with isolated inferior wall fractures (n = 77) and isolated medial wall fractures (n = 78) evidenced no differences in sex, age, etiology of trauma, laterality of trauma, and associated concomitant intraocular injuries. The cross-sectional area, thickness, and gradient of the inferior wall did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. However, the coefficient of curvature was significantly greater in patients with inferior wall fracture than in patients with medial wall fracture (0.016 ± 0.006 vs. 0.006 ± 0.002, respectively; p = 0.000). Conclusion: Patients with more convex and steep inferior walls are more likely to incur isolated inferior wall fractures than isolated medial wall fractures.

Orbital blowout fracture location in Japanese and Chinese patients

“…This theory was further studied by Song et al [8] using CT scans from a population of Korean patients with pure orbital floor or medial wall fractures. The morphologic features of the orbital floor have also been investigated by Park et al [13], who found that patients with steeper orbital floors with greater convexity were more likely to sustain isolated floor fractures than isolated medial wall fractures. Similar studies examining the ethmoidal septa and morphologic features of the orbital floor have yet to be conducted in the Japanese and Chinese populations; however, a number of general anatomic studies have been conducted on the Asian orbit.…”

The Paradoxical Predominance of Medial Wall Injuries in Blowout Fracture

“…Some studies suggested that morphologic properties, especially ethmoid air cell septa, could influence the type of blowout fracture, [11][12][13] and that the nature of the trauma could be relevant to the type of blowout fracture. In this study, ethmoid air cell septa and etiology of injury were analyzed with regard to fracture type.…”

Objective analysis of facial bone fracture CT images using curvature measurement in a surface mesh model

“…A computer-assisted rapid prototyping technique assisted in performing www.nature.com/scientificreports/ precise surgical procedures and anticipating the contour of recipient sites. Park et al 27 presented the anatomical characteristics of patients with orbital wall fracture. Orbital CT images were analyzed according to the area and thickness of the orbital wall and the coefficient of curvature.…”