Evaluation of lacrimal gland dimensions and volume in Turkish population with computed tomography

Abstract

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) is a wide-spread method for evaluating head and neck pathologies. The lacrimal glands (LGs) are usually visible in routine head and neck CT scans. LG pathologies usually manifests with changes in gland sizes, so it is important to know the normal values of the LG dimensions and volume. The LG sizes may change with age, gender and race. The normal values of LG dimensions and volume in Turkish population was not reported before. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dimensions and volumes of the LGs by CT in a Turkish population. Materials and Methods: Two hundred seventeen consecutive paranasal CT scans of subjects evaluated retrospectively. Measurements of LG dimensions were performed in axial and coronal paranasal CT images. The LG volume was calculated with Aquarius software by outlining the gland in all consecutive axial images. Results: Four hundred orbits of 200 subjects were included to the study. The mean axial LG length in right and left orbits were 16.2 +/- 2.0 mm and 16.0 +/- 2.0 mm and the mean axial width of the right and left orbits were 4.1 +/- 0.7 mm and 4.0 +/- 0.7 mm. The right and left LG mean values for coronal length and width were equal 18.3 +/- 2.2 mm and 4.1 +/- 0.7mm respectively. The mean LG volume was 0.617 +/- 0.210 cm(3) in right and 0.597 +/- 0.197 cm(3) in the left orbits. There were statistically significant differences in the axial width and volume of the LG according to sides, however there was no significant difference according to gender. Age and LG measurements were negatively correlated. Conclusion: Our study may serve as a guide to determine the average values of the LG measurements in Turkish population and find out the orbital pathologies that involves the LG.