Topographical CT-data analysis of the human orbital floor

The aim of this study was to evaluate the topographical anatomy of the human orbital floor for the production of prefabricated implants on the basis of computer tomography data. A database of 279 CT scans of Caucasian patients without traumatic deformation of the midface was analysed. 3D-image segmentation of the midfacial skeleton was performed using a computer-assisted protocol. A virtual plane (50 x 50 mm(2)) was constructed using defined landmarks above the orbital floor. An automated procedure was used to measure the distance between the orbital floor and the constructed plane at 400 distinct points. A mathematical algorithm was used to analyse the data, and to calculate a map of the orbital floor. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that orbital floor topography could be classified as distinct clusters. There were 12 variations of orbital floor anatomy: three unique patterns of the orbital floor for the right orbit and three corresponding patterns for the left side, all of which varied between the sexes. The 12 patterns were constructed with a statistical confidence interval of 1.36 +/- 0.6 mm.