ESTIMATION OF THE INFRAORBITAL FORAMEN LOCATION USING MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Determining/ Identifying the localization of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) and its relationship with surrounding structures have great importance for many clinical disciplines. It is suggested that supraorbital foramen/notch (SOF/SON) can be used as a landmark to estimate the location of the IOF. In this study, using the morphometric relationships of the IOF with the SON and other neighboring anatomical structures, we aimed to determine the safe zone for the intervention of the IOF and give some regression formulas to estimate the location of the IOF.MATERIAL AND METHODS: On the 33 dry adult skulls which are of unknown gender, IOF was evaluated using the supraorbital foramen with the 14 parameters. After the photographs of the bones were taken, measurements were made with the Image J program.RESULTS: The mean values for all measurements were given and no side differences were seen. The safe zone for the intervention to the IOF was identified with the minimum values of the parameters. The mean values of the right and left sides were used to evaluate the correlation between parameters. As a result of Spearman’s correlation test, it was observed that some values showed a high correlation with each other. Some regression formulas were created to estimate the location of the IOF. The best formula was determined as IOF= 1.632 + (0.743* SON/SOF to the IMO) + (0.184*SON/SOF to the canine crestal bone); with 96% accuracy.CONCLUSIONS: The IOF is a focus point of maxillofacial plastic surgery and dentistry because the neurovascular bundle of IOF has a great damage risk. In this study, we have given some reliable regression formulas to estimate the location of the IOF with the high accuracy.