Retrospective morphometric analysis of the infraorbital foramen with cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to examine the morphometric characteristics of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) and its anatomic localization by using cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, the anatomic characteristics of the IOF were identified by studying retrospectively the CBCT images of one hundred twenty-five (125) patients. These characteristics were assessed statistically in terms of age, gender, and right-left side.

RESULTS: In our study, 42% of them had IOF in circular form and 58% in oval form. Of them 66.90% of those in oval form were in oblique direction, 28.30% of them were in vertical direction, and 4.80% of them were in horizontal direction. The mean vertical diameter of the IOF was found as 3.71 ± 0.61 mm and its mean horizontal diameter was found as 3.17 ± 0.56 mm. The mean distance of IOF to midline were measured as 25.10 ± 2.17 mm, distance to upper edge of the orbita was measured as 41.91 ± 2.77 mm, distance to infraorbital edge was measured as 5.63 ± 1.77 mm, distance to the lateral nasal wall was measured as 9.32 ± 2.68 mm, distance to spina nasalis anterior was measured as 17.97 ± 3.99 mm, thickness of the soft tissue on the foramen was measured as 11.52 ± 2.40 mm, and distance between the right and the left IOF was measured as 50.20 ± 3.90 mm. Accessory foramen was found in 56.60% ratio.

CONCLUSION: This study reveals that CBCT may guide for local anesthesia applications and for other invasive procedures in order to prevent the damage of the neurovascular structures during maxillofacial surgery by identifying the distances of anatomic points such as IOF having surgically importance.