title: 640-Slice CT Measurement of Superior Orbital Fissure as Gateway for Light into the Brain: Statistical Evaluation of Area and Distance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to provide normative data concerning superior orbital fissure area (SOFA), ocular skin and the substantia nigra (D-SS) and orbital fissure and the substantia nigra (D-SOF-S) distances by CT scan in adult Caucasian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The area of the superior orbital fissure (SOF), the distance between the ocular skin and the substantia nigra and the distance between the superior orbital fissure and the substantia nigra using CT and 3D-CT images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Normative data stratified for age and gender were obtained. The data here reported show that some degree of variability in SOFA, D-SS and D-SOF-S measurements can be observed healthy Caucasian subjects. Gender stratified prediction intervals (mean +/- 2 Standard Deviations) for SOFA and D-SOF-S were 69.2 (+/-15.8) and 38.4 (+/-7.6) for male and 56.8 (+/-11.9) and 36.5 (+/-6.1) for female, respectively. Age and gender significantly impacted on D-SS values and normative data were constructed generating data stratified for these two variables. D-SS was 89.4 (+/-10.3) and 86.4 (+/-9.7) for male and female, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Here we provide adjunctive anatomical information on specific anatomical cerebral zones. Our data may have implications for surgeons actively committed to treat pathological conditions involving these cerebral areas. Additionally, the anatomical variability found with respect to SOF and the potential different exposure of the substanzia nigra to the bright light could play a role in Parkinson's disease as already speculated in literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Radiology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Marra
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Radiology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quarchioni
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Radiology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Radiotherapy and Cardiac Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni Luca
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gravina
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Radiology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barile
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Radiology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo Maria
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Gregori
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Radiotherapy and Cardiac Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Cesare
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Neuroradiology Unit, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2188-3506
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Splendiani