Halime Cevik Cenkeri1, Sukran Sarigul Guduk2, Esin Derin Cicek3. 1. Department of Radiology, Okan University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. 2. Department of Dermatology, Dermist Dermatology and Laser Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey. 3. Department of Radiology, University of Health Sciences, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Studies involving superficial facial fat compartments are few in number with conflicting results. Most of them involved small study groups and compared measurements between different populations of young and old subjects either on cadavers or living subjects. OBJECTIVE: To clarify volumetric and dimensional changes in midfacial superficial fat compartment retrospectively in patients who underwent a repeat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without gross pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 patients with a mean age of 60 years (range: 33-82 years) and a median elapsed time of 44.5 months (range: 32-64 months) between 2 MRIs were included. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were analyzed in the axial and sagittal planes to obtain measurements of the medial part of the superficial cheek fat. Superficial cheek fat was divided into 3 compartments. Thickness, width, and height were measured, and volumes were calculated for each compartment on both hemifaces. RESULTS: Volume and thickness were decreased significantly in all compartments (p < .05). The width was decreased in superior and middle compartments, whereas increased in lower compartment indicating dislocation of the fat tissue (p < .05). Height was also significantly increased (p < .05). A subgroup analysis has shown that there was no significant difference between men and women. CONCLUSION: This study clarifies that aging is associated with a significant decrease in superficial midfacial fat tissue volume and thickness both in women and men. The decrease in width in upper and middle compartments, but increase in lower compartment suggests a volume shift within superficial fat tissue.
BACKGROUND: Studies involving superficial facial fat compartments are few in number with conflicting results. Most of them involved small study groups and compared measurements between different populations of young and old subjects either on cadavers or living subjects. OBJECTIVE: To clarify volumetric and dimensional changes in midfacial superficial fat compartment retrospectively in patients who underwent a repeat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without gross pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 patients with a mean age of 60 years (range: 33-82 years) and a median elapsed time of 44.5 months (range: 32-64 months) between 2 MRIs were included. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were analyzed in the axial and sagittal planes to obtain measurements of the medial part of the superficial cheek fat. Superficial cheek fat was divided into 3 compartments. Thickness, width, and height were measured, and volumes were calculated for each compartment on both hemifaces. RESULTS: Volume and thickness were decreased significantly in all compartments (p < .05). The width was decreased in superior and middle compartments, whereas increased in lower compartment indicating dislocation of the fat tissue (p < .05). Height was also significantly increased (p < .05). A subgroup analysis has shown that there was no significant difference between men and women. CONCLUSION: This study clarifies that aging is associated with a significant decrease in superficial midfacial fat tissue volume and thickness both in women and men. The decrease in width in upper and middle compartments, but increase in lower compartment suggests a volume shift within superficial fat tissue.