Investigation of the morphometric features of bony nasolacrimal canal: a cone-beam computed tomography study

The aim of this study was to investigate the diameters of the bony nasolacrimal canal by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in normal adult Turkish population and the effect of gender and age on the nasolacrimal canal diameter.

The randomly selected 100 patients aged from 18 to 83 years were analysed, a total of 200 nasolacrimal canals were examined using CBCT. The anteroposterior and transverse diameters, the sectional area of the bony nasolacrimal canal and the angle between the bony canal and the nasal floor were measured in axial, sagittal CBCT scan.

The anteroposterior diameter of the bony nasolacrimal canal was 6.56 ± 1.53 mm, and the transverse diameter was 4.34 ± 1.03 mm. The sectional area of the bony nasolacrimal canal was 7.39 ± 3.29 mm2, and the angle between the bony canal and the nasal floor was 73.46 ± 6.77°. No significant difference in the anteroposterior diameter, the transverse diameter and the sectional area of the bony nasolacrimal canal between ages. The angle between the bony canal and the nasal floor was significantly greater in female.

This study may provide useful information of morphometric features of the bony nasolacrimal canal. The detailed anatomical knowledge of bony nasolacrimal canal morphology may help the clinicians plan the treatment options.