Differences in patient characteristics between subconjunctival herniated orbital fat in the superotemporal quadrant and the other quadrants: An observational study

Abstract

Subconjunctival herniated orbital fat (SHOF) usually occurs in the superotemporal quadrant, and SHOF located in other quadrants is extremely rare. This study aimed to compare the patient characteristics between patients with SHOF in the superotemporal quadrant and those with SHOF in other quadrants. This is a retrospective study of 45 patients with SHOF who were referred to our institution between January 2015 and January 2023 and 14 previously reported patients in published case reports of SHOF that were not located in the superotemporal quadrant. Data on patient age, sex, affected sides, and body mass index were collected from the medical records of our institution and from previous reports. Patient age, male-to-female ratio, unilateral-to-bilateral ratio, and body mass index were compared between patients with SHOF in the superotemporal quadrant and patients with SHOF in the other quadrants. Of the 45 patients, only 1 patient showed SHOF in a location other than the superotemporal quadrant (inferonasal quadrant). Based on a comparison of 44 patients with SHOF in the superotemporal quadrant and 15 patients with SHOF in the other quadrants, the latter entity predominantly occurred in young, non-obese females (P < .050). Unilateral cases were more common in SHOF in the other quadrants (P = .003). Patient characteristics were found to be different between cases of SHOF in the superotemporal quadrant and those with SHOF in the other quadrants.