Variations of the infraorbital foramen in human evaluated with multidetector computerized tomography

SUMMARY Variations of the Infraorbital Foramen in Human Evaluated With Multidetector Computerized Tomography Objective: The aim of our study is to determine the anatomic structure and variations of infraorbital foramen (IF) in living human beings using multidetector computerized tomography (MDCT) and to evaluate the findings according to age, gender and locations (right/left). Methods: In this descriptive study, CT imagings of patients from Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Radiology Department, whose cranial tomographies were performed with any reason were examined retrospectively. Statistical analyses of the study was performed using SPSS 18 statistical package. The avarage values and standard deviations of parameters were determined. Relations between parameters, gender and regional asymmetry were evaluated. Statistical significance value was accepted to be <0,001. Results: Transvers diameter of IF was 1,88+-0,44 mm and vertical diameter was 1,71+-0,42 mm. The distances of IF to some spesific points were; 26,81+-3,19 mm to midfacial line, 30,09+-3,22 to midpoint of anterior tubercle of atlas, 7,4+-4,53 mm to orbita, 16,63+-1,81 mm to the nasal part of maxillary bone. No distance differences according to side (right/left) was detected except the distance of IF to midfacial line. By gender comparison many differences were noted. These differences were transvers diameters of right and left IF (p<0,001 and p<0,001), vertical diameters of right and left IF (p:0,003 and p<0,001), the distance between left IF and midfacial line (p<0,001), the distance of right and left IF to radix of 2nd incissive tooth (p:0,008, p:0,028), the distance of right and left IF to midpoint of anterior tubercle of atlas (p:0,009, p<0,01) and the distance of left IF to nasal part of maxillary bone (p<0,008). Conclusion: When compared to present literature many findings were similar, while some measurements were different. These differences may stem from reference values used in studies, the difference of measuring methods and the fact that former studies were performed on dry craniums. Additionally it is among the most approved 40 opinions that dimensions of IF may differ according to climate conditions. To consider the anatomic characteristics of IF is of great importance for many procedures like reducing the anesthetic complications when anesthesia is planned for surgical and local procedures .