Superior orbital fissure in children: shape analysis, measurements, and surgical importance

This radiologic work aimed to display the alteration in the superior orbital fissure (SOF) morphology in the pediatric population with advancing age. This pediatric examination consisted of computed tomography images of 180 subjects (90 males/90 females) aged 1-18 years. The length (SOF-L) and width (SOF-W) of SOF were measured, and its shape was noted. SOF-L and SOF-W were measured as 16.04 +/- 2.34 mm and 5.35 +/- 1.01 mm, respectively. SOF-L was similar in infancy and early childhood periods, but then decreased up to postpubescent period. This measurement increased significantly in postpubescent period. SOF-W did not show important change from infancy period up to postpubescent period. After that, it increased significantly in postpubescent period. Seven configurations regarding SOF shape were observed: the straight type in 20.8% out of 360 SOFs, eight-shaped type in 12.2%, key-shaped type in 14%, racket-shaped type in 18.6%, narrow type in 7.2%, triangular type in 14.7%, and curved type in 12.5%. SOF shape was not affected by sex (p = 0.150) and side (p = 0.919). Linear functions were calculated as y = 16.310-0.028 x age for SOF-L, and as y = 4.886 + 0.048 x age for SOF-W. SOF-L showed an irregular pattern of first decreasing and then increasing, during the transition from 1 year to 18 years. SOF-W displayed an irregular pattern of increasing with advancing ages in children. Our linear functions representing the growth pattern of SOF in children may be useful to estimate SOF size.