Age- and Sex-Related Morphometric Changes and Asymmetry in the Orbito-Zygomatic Region

The aims of this study were to obtain cephalometric data of orbito-zygomatic skeleton using CT axial images and to determine the presence of sexual dimorphism, normal range of facial asymmetry, and the age-related changes.This study used data from 315 CT scan series of skeletally normal subjects (159 males and 156 females) between the ages of 18 to 90. Two different levels of axial sections were used. In total, 11 measurements were performed and 5 of them were bilateral.The mean values and standard deviations were calculated. Gender and age related changes and asymmetry degree were investigated.Mean values of measurements except left medial orbital wall length, right and left medial orbital wall protrusion, right and left lateral orbital wall angle were significantly larger in males for all age groups. Majority of the measurements was formed by the individuals with larger right side. Similar tendencies were observed for craniofacial asymmetry in both sexes and in different age groups. There were no significant craniofacial asymmetries between age and gender groups in terms of the cephalometric measurements. Mid-interorbital distance had a negative correlation (r = -0.11 and P = 0.043) and interzygomatic buttress distance had a positive correlation (r = 0.15 and P = 0.005) with age.Morphological properties such as sexual dimorphism, symmetry, age related changes are important parameters especially for plastic surgery discipline. The authors hope the data can be helpful in diagnosis and surgical treatment of craniofacial diseases, estimating the prognosis and preparation of the facial prosthesis.