The relationship between ethmoidal foramina and orbital fat herniation

The aims of this study are to determine the incidence and more frequent localizations of orbital fat tissue herniation accompanying dehiscences in the medial orbital wall and to investigate the relationship between orbital fat tissue herniations and the anterior and posterior ethmoidal foramina.

One thousand two hundred patients who had undergone computed tomography with a preliminary diagnosis of sinusitis and who had no previous facial, orbital, paranasal sinus surgeries or history of trauma were retrospectively analyzed. The localization of the ethmoidal foramina and orbital fat tissue herniations were marked. In patients with orbital fat tissue herniation, the relationship between the localization of orbital fat tissue herniation and the anterior and posterior ethmoidal foramina was investigated.

The incidence of orbital adipose tissue herniation in our study was 7.9%. Of the 98 herniations on the bilateral medial orbital wall, 60 were in zone 3, and the most common herniation site was zone 3. A statistically significant difference was noted between the localization zone of the anterior ethmoidal foramen and the localization zones of orbital fat tissue herniations (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.001).

Zone 3 is the weakest area of the medial orbital wall, and zone 3 is the most prone to herniation of fat tissue. The association of orbital fat tissue herniations with the anterior ethmoidal foramen is extremely common. Being cognizant of this finding may help a surgeon better estimate the anatomical view to be met before functional endoscopic sinus surgery as well as to minimize the risk of possible orbital complications, especially anterior ethmoidal artery injury.