Korean J Orthod.  2011 Dec;41(6):431-439. 10.4041/kjod.2011.41.6.431.

Cone-beam computed tomography assessment of mandibular asymmetry in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients

• Veli I
• Uysal T
• Ucar FI
• Eruz M
• Ozer T

• KMID: 2273191
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2011.41.6.431

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there is any difference between the cleft and non-cleft sides of the mandible in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients, or the right and left sides in control patients; and to determine if there is any difference between the mandibular asymmetry of UCLP patients and that of control patients.
METHODS
We examined cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 15 patients with UCLP and 15 age- and gender-matched control patients. We evaluated 8 linear, 3 surface, and 3 volumetric measurements and compared the cleft/non-cleft sides of UCLP patients and the right/left sides of controls.
RESULTS
There were no statistically significant gender differences in any linear, surface, or volumetric measurement. The single significant side-to-side difference in UCLP patients was a longer coronoid unit on the cleft side than on the non-cleft side (p = 0.046). Body volume was significantly lower in the UCLP group than in the control group (p = 0.008).
CONCLUSIONS
In general, UCLP patients have symmetrical mandibles, although the coronoid unit length is significantly longer on the cleft side than on the non-cleft side. UCLP patients and controls differed only in body volume.

Keyword

Asymmetry; Cone-beam computed tomography; Cleft lip/palate

MeSH Terms

Cleft Lip
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Humans
Mandible
Palate

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Landmarks and measurements used in this study. A, condylar unit length; b, coronoid unit length; c, angular unit length; d, body unit length; e, chin unit length; Corsup, coronoid superius; Consup, condylion superius; F, fossa of mandibular foramen; Gomid, gonion midpoint; MF, mental foramen; Pog, pogonion.

• 

  Fig. 2 Landmarks and measurements used in this study. f, Condylar width; g, ramal height; h, body length; Jlat, the most lateral and deepest point of the curvature formed at the junction of the mandibular ramus and body; Jmed, The most medial and deepest point of the curvature formed at the junction of the mandibular ramus and body; Gomid, gonion midpoint; Consup, condylion superius; Conmed, condylion medialis; Conlat, condylion lateralis; Me, menton.

• 

  Fig. 3 An example of surface and volumetric measurements.

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