The reliability of "Analyze" software in measuring orbital volume utilizing CT-derived data

Introduction: Craniomaxillofacial surgeons require to estimate the orbital volume in a variety of clinical situations. This paper evaluates a new method based on software analysis of computerized tomography (CT) scan data. Material and methods: Five dried skulls with prosthetic globes and periorbita were non-helically scanned in an Elscint 2400 CT scanner. Images obtained were processed using the "Analyze" software package and results compared to the volume of the intraorbital prosthesis as determined by a volume displacement gravimetric method. Results: Estimates of volume produced by the software varied from the gold standard by 0.06-50.44%, with a mean error of 8.8%. Conclusion: Despite the use of a variety of scan protocols it was not possible to obtain results with "Analyze" software which were sufficiently accurate for clinical use. (C) 2003 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.