Epidemiological Overview and Traits into Disorders of the Orbital Walls in North-Eastern Romania

TL;DR

This study analyzed the frequency and characteristics of orbital wall disorders in northeastern Romania, finding that men are more likely to suffer from traumatic fractures.

Contribution

The study provides a detailed epidemiological analysis of orbital wall disorders in a specific Romanian region, highlighting sex and age-related patterns.

Findings

Fractures accounted for 96.7% of orbital wall disorders, with males being more affected than females.

Tumors were more common in older patients, while congenital conditions mainly affected those under 20 years old.

Fractures were more likely to be bilateral or on the right side, whereas tumors and congenital conditions were predominantly unilateral and left-sided.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the frequency and distribution of facial bone injuries in terms of age, sex, residence, location, and etiology in the north-eastern region of Romania. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted within the Oral and Maxillofacial Clinics of “Sf. Spiridon” Hospital, Iași. The study group included 701 subjects (mean age 41.02 ± 18.45; sex: 603 males and 98 females) who were diagnosed with an orbital wall disorder. The epidemiological data on orbital wall fractures—including sociodemographic features, etiology, and location—were statistically analyzed. Results: The prevalence of orbital pathology was 1.47% congenital cases, 1.75% tumors, and 96.7% orbital fractures. The distribution of sex, age group, residence, and orbital localization varied significantly among the three diagnostic categories: tumors, congenital conditions, and fractures. Regarding sex, fractures were significantly more frequent in males (87.0%) compared to congenital cases (70.0%) and tumors (41.7%), while tumors showed a female predominance (58.3%) (p < 0.001). Congenital conditions predominantly affected patients under 20 years old (90.0%), whereas fractures were more evenly distributed across age groups, with higher frequencies between 31 and 50 years. In contrast, tumors involving the orbital walls were more frequent in older patients, with 33.3% in the 61–70 age group and 25.0% over 70 years. Regarding orbital localization, fractures were more likely to be bilateral (37.3%) or on the right side (44.3%), whereas congenital orbital defects and orbital tumors were predominantly unilateral and left-sided (70.0% and 66.7%, respectively). Bilateral involvement was rare in congenital cases (10.0%) and absent in tumors. Conclusions: The data support the finding that men are significantly more prone to trauma and orbital fractures, especially as a result of interpersonal violence and accidents, highlighting the need for preventive measures tailored to sex and socio-professional context.

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