Age related changes in the Korean pediatric human orbit on CT

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among orbital dimensions, globe diameter and age.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 136 CT scans of subjects with no orbital or globe disease was performed and 10 lengh measurements and 3 angle measurement of various aspects of the orbit was obtained.

Results: 136 CT scans of 136 korean subjects without identifiable globe and orbital disease were included in this study. 29 subjects ≥ 17 years of age were considered mature adults and grouped together, while the remaining 107 subjects were grouped according to age. All orbital length measurements except globe protrusion increased most rapidly over the first 12 to 24 months. Vertical and horizontal orbital length was reached to 97-98% of their adults value at age 8 years and highly correlated to linear orbital measurement. Central orbital axis angle and intraorbital angle in neonate group were found to be greater than their adults group and decreased rapidly over the first 12 months. Orbital protrusion continued to increase through the neonate until adulthood.

Conclusions: The growth of the korean human orbit increased most rapidly over the first 12 to 24 months and reached to 96-98% of their adults value at age 8 years. With this attempt to define normal age-related measured orbital value and orbital changes, this is helpful to treat the pediatric orbital disease and abnormalies.