Comparative assessment of the biometric parameters of the lacrimal gland based on computed tomography and echography in healthy individuals of different ages

Analysis of literary sources demonstrates the variability in biometric parameters of the lacrimal gland (LG) obtained by computed tomography (CT) in healthy subjects. The various imaging methods of LG with assessment on biometric parameters of the palpebral and orbital lobes of healthy LG are needed for the development objective criteria and improve the efficiency of diagnostics of LG pathology. The purpose was to conduct a comparative analysis of the biometric characteristics of LG obtained with CT and echography in healthy individuals of different ages. Material and methods. A total of 60 patients (120 eyes) were examined, divided into 3 groups: 18–40 years (the 1st group), 40–60 years (the 2nd group), and 60–90 years (the 3rd group). There are 20 individuals (40 eyes) in each group. Ultrasound was used to assess the structure of the palpebral lobe of the LG, measuring its diameter and thickness in two projections. The diameter of the orbital lobe was also measured. The CT of the orbits was performed in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. In the axial and coronal projections, the total axial length and thickness of the gland were measured, while the sagittal projection measured the palpebral lobe separately and the diameter of the orbital part. Results. In adult patients, the lowest biometric parameters of the LG were recorded in the 1st group: 8.48 ± 0.5 mm for the palpebral part and 2.2 ± 0.1 mm for the orbital part, as well as 13.47 ± 0.48 mm for the orbital part. There were no significant differences in the parameters of the palpebral part between the 1st and the 2nd groups. In the 3rd group, there was an increase in the diameter and thickness of the palpebral part of the LG by 9.0 and 6.6 %, respectively, compared with the 1st and 2nd groups. The maximum average values of the length of the LG according to CT were observed in the 1st group: 15.1 ± 2.4 mm in the axial plane and 16.2 ± 2.4 mm in the coronary plane. There was no statistically significant difference in size between the 1st and 2nd groups. An age-dependent increase in the size of the LG was recorded in the sagittal plane. The average biometric parameters of the orbital part of the LG in the 3rd group were significantly higher compared to the 1st and 2nd groups. Conclusion. The analysis of ultrasound results demonstrated the comparability of the average values of echographic biometric characteristics with CT data in the sagittal plane. A high reliable correlation has been established between the average length and width of the palpebral and orbital parts of LG using two different research methods.

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