Normative lacrimal gland dimensions by magnetic resonance imaging in an Australian cohort

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To report the normative dimensions of the lacrimal gland on fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an Australian cohort.

Methods

Retrospective review of patients who underwent 3 T orbital MRI is presented. Two hundred eleven orbits were used to conduct lacrimal gland measurements. Orbits were excluded if there was ipsilateral orbital or lacrimal gland disease, prior surgery, or poor image quality. The length and width of the lacrimal gland were measured in axial and coronal sections using the largest image.

Results

The mean lacrimal gland axial length was 14.6 mm in the right orbit and 14.3 mm in the left orbit. The mean axial width was 4.9 mm in both orbits. Coronal lengths averaged 16.2 mm in the right orbit and 16.4 mm in the left orbit. The coronal width averaged 4.8 mm in both orbits. A significant negative correlation was found between age and the right axial length (r = −0.26, p < .01) and the left axial length (r = −0.26, p < .01) of the lacrimal gland. No statistically significant difference was found between genders or laterality.

Conclusion

This study presents the normal lacrimal gland dimensions on fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced MRI in an Australian cohort. An inverse relationship exists between age and the axial length of the lacrimal gland. These data may be used to help diagnose enlargement of the lacrimal gland.

KEYWORDS:

• Enlargement
• lacrimal gland
• magnetic resonance imaging

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.