Analysis of the anatomic changes of the aging facial skeleton using computer-assisted tomography.

Purpose: The bony skeleton serves as the scaffolding for the soft tissues of the face; however, age-related changes of bony morphology are not well defined. This study sought to compare the anatomic relationships of the facial skeleton and soft tissue structures between young and old men and women.

Methods: A retrospective review of CT scans of 100 consecutive patients imaged at Duke University Medical Center between 2004 and 2007 was performed using the Vitrea software package.