Background: The nose plays a critical role in determining the external appearance of an individual. We studied the craniofacial anthropometrics by CT scanning since previous studies in the field were conducted in Saudi populations using photometric analysis.
Objectives: Obtain objective and quantitative data that can help surgeons plan cosmetic procedures for the nose.
Design: A cross-sectional analytical study.
Setting: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from February 2015 to December 2015.
Patients and methods: Facial CT scans were performed on native Saudis who underwent CT of the paranasal sinuses.
Main outcome measure(s): Three anthropometric parameters: the nasofrontal angle, the pyramidal angle, and the linear distance between the nasion and the tip of the nasal bone.
Results: In 160 native Saudis (86 males and 74 females) who underwent CT, the mean nasofrontal angle was 125.3° in males and 135.6° in females. The mean linear distance between the nasion and the tip of the nasal bone was 23.0 mm for males and 20.9 mm for females. The mean nasal pyramidal angle was 110.8° in males and 111.9° for females at the level of the nasal root, 105.6° in males and 104.8° in females at the mid-level of the nasal bone, and 116.8° males and 107.9° in females at the level of the tip of the nasal bone.
Conclusion: Nasal bone lengths and angles can be obtained accurately from CT scans. These angles differ in different ethnic groups.
Limitations: The sample represents native Saudis but not a cross section of the Saudi population. The relatively small sample size is a limitation of the study, but we consider these to be initial findings.