Studies of Supraorbital Notch and Foramen Using 3-Dimensional Facial Bone CT Scans

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The supraorbital foramen or notch is located at the superior orbital rim. Previous studies have reported anatomical variations in these structures. However, the results varied depending on races and the measurement method used.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify the morphological features of supraorbital foramen or notch based on locational relationship using images of 3-dimensional (3D) facial bone CT scans.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.

SETTING: University hospital emergency department.

METHODS: Identification and analysis of patients who have undergone facial bone 3D CT were performed using Clinical Data Warehouse v 2.5 (CDW, Planit Healthcare, Seoul, Korea). The search word that we used with the CDW for analysis was "facial bone 3D CT". First, the region of the supraorbital rim was examined to clarify whether or not the supraorbital foramen or notch was present. Second, the diameter of the supraorbital foramen or notch was measured. Lastly, the distance from midpoint (nasion) to the supraorbital notch or foramen was measured.

RESULTS: The supraorbital notch was found more frequently than the supraorbital foramen. Among supraorbital double types, the coexistence of notch and foramen was found more frequently than the coexistence of notch and notch or foramen and foramen. The diameter of supraorbital notch was wider than the supraorbital foramen, which was located more laterally from the nasion than the supraorbital notch.

LIMITATION: The actual size of the facial image or the skull size of the patient was not considered, which might affect the distance of supraorbital notch or foramen from the midline.

CONCLUSION: Supraorbital notch was more frequently found than the supraorbital foramen. The supraorbital notch had a wider diameter and was more centrally located than the supraorbital foramen.