An analysis of Asian midfacial fat thickness according to age group using computed tomography

The understanding of facial fat volume change with aging is essential for facial rejuvenation. The aim of this study was to investigate aging-related alterations of midfacial fat thickness (FT) using computed tomographic images.

Eighty computed tomographic scans of patients of four age groups (20s, 40s, 60s, and 80s), who underwent septoturbinoplasty, were studied. The body mass index of the patients was limited to 25.0±2 kg/m2. At seven consistent points in the midface including the infraorbital (two points), mid-cheek (two) and nasojugal area (three), the measurements of the total facial thickness (TFT) and FT were conducted on a reconstructed sagittal plane by four trained observers using a medical imaging software.

The interrater reliabilities for each measured point were excellent (overall intraclass correlation coefficients=0.94). There was no significant difference in the TFTs of each point among the age groups (all P>0.05). By contrast, the FTs of the four points (infraorbital and nasojugal area) showed a significant increment in the elderly than in young subjects (all P<0.011). The FTs of the mid-cheek exhibited almost no change among the age groups (all P>0.05).

This study suggests that the midfacial fat pad is thickened in the elderly and that there is a site specificity in the alteration.