Arch Craniofac Surg.  2014 Dec;15(3):109-116. 10.7181/acfs.2014.15.3.109.

Analysis of Facial Asymmetry in Deformational Plagiocephaly Using Three-Dimensional Computed Tomographic Review

• Moon IY
• Lim SY
• Oh KS

• KMID: 1917533
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7181/acfs.2014.15.3.109

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Infants with deformational plagiocephaly (DP) usually present with cranial vault deformities as well as facial asymmetry. The purpose of this study was to use three-dimensional anthropometric data to evaluate the influence of cranial deformities on facial asymmetry.
METHODS
We analyzed three-dimensional computed tomography data for infants with DP (n=48) and without DP (n=30, control). Using 16 landmarks and 3 reference planes, 22 distance parameters and 2 angular parameters were compared. This cephalometric assessment focused on asymmetry of the orbits, nose, ears, maxilla, and mandible. We then assessed the correlation between 23 of the measurements and cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) for statistical significance using relative differences and correlation analysis.
RESULTS
With the exception of few orbital asymmetry variables, most measurements indicated that the facial asymmetry was greater in infants with DP. Mandibular and nasal asymmetry was correlated highly with severity of CVA. Shortening of the ipsilateral mandibular body was particularly significant. There was no significant deformity in the maxilla or ear.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated that the cranial vault deformity in DP is associated with facial asymmetry. Compared with the control group, the infants with DP were found to have prominent asymmetry of the nose and mandible.

Keyword

Deformational plagiocephaly; Facial asymmetry; Three-dimensional computed tomography

MeSH Terms

Congenital Abnormalities
Ear
Facial Asymmetry*
Humans
Infant
Mandible
Maxilla
Nose
Orbit
Plagiocephaly, Nonsynostotic*