Objective: To establish and elucidate a feasible method by CT-scanning-based computed tomographic analysis for the volumetric measurement of orbit.
Methods: In this study, 19 dry intact dried skulls were used. CT digital data with continuous 0.625 mm transaxial sections was available for each and was inputted a professional tomographic analysis software in DICOM format. Subsequent to the orbital borderline lined on each of continuous axial images, software automatically generated three-dimensional orbital image and gave a value of orbital volume. In mean while, handicraft measurement of orbital volume was carried out for each and obtained another group of orbital volume value. Statistical analysis was made to test possible difference between two measurements.
Results: It was demonstrated that volumetric measurement by means of computed tomographic software had a accuracy of the 1.38%. Right and left orbital volumes were found to have a mean difference of 0.3 ml (0-1.4 ml).
Conclusions: CT data-based computed tomographic analysis is a reliable method to measure orbital volume, which could be potentially used to determine the alternation of orbital volume after fracture.