September 16, 2025

MRI-Based Normative Orbital Anthropometric Measurements in Pediatric Populations: Age-Related Variations and Clinical Implications

CGCafer İkbal GülseverHakkari University AAAzman AteşErzincan Binali Yıldırım University EKElif Hazal KarlıIstanbul University

Key Points

Age-related changes in orbital dimensions were identified, with interzygomatic distance showing the strongest correlation with age.
Normative data revealed significant increases in orbital breadth and height with age, providing valuable reference points for clinical practice.
The study utilized MRI scans from 64 pediatric patients, employing multiple statistical tests to assess measurements and reliability.
Excellent interobserver reliability among neuroradiologists was confirmed, enhancing the robustness of the measurement process.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Precise and reliable anthropometric reference data for the pediatric orbit is crucial for accurately diagnosing orbital disorders, detecting developmental abnormalities, and planning effective surgical interventions. This study aimed to establish comprehensive MRI-based normative orbital measurements in a pediatric population, explore clinically meaningful age-related variations, and assess measurement reliability across multiple neuroradiologists. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed MRI scans from 64 healthy pediatric patients (32 males, 32 females; age range 1–17 years) acquired at both 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla MRI systems. Patients were categorized into preschool (1–6 years), school-age (7–12 years), and adolescent (13–17 years) groups. Three expert neuroradiologists independently measured clinically relevant orbital parameters including extraocular muscle thicknesses, orbital breadth and height, interzygomatic distance, intercanthal distance, optic nerve sheath width, and optic nerve angle. Data were statistically evaluated using Spearman’s correlation, Kruskal–Wallis tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for reliability assessment. Results: We provide detailed, MRI-derived normative data for essential pediatric orbital structures, highlighting significant and clinically meaningful age-dependent anatomical changes. Notably, the interzygomatic distance demonstrated the strongest correlation with age (r=0.772, pConclusions: This study delivers precise MRI-based normative pediatric orbital anthropometric data, clearly identifying age-related developmental trends and stable anatomical landmarks. These reference measurements can significantly aid radiologists and surgeons in the accurate identification of orbital pathologies, the detection of subtle developmental anomalies, and in optimizing surgical planning and clinical outcomes in pediatric orbital cases.

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