AIM: To utilize three-dimensional (3D) geometric morphometry for visualization of the level of facial asymmetry in patients with the oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional facial scans of 25 Czech patients with OAVS were processed. The patients were divided into subgroups according to Pruzansky classification. For 13 of them, second 3D facial scans were obtained. The 3D facial scans were processed using geometric morphometry. Soft tissue facial asymmetry in the sagittal plane and its changes in two time spots were visualized using colour-coded maps with a thermometre-like scale. RESULTS: Individual facial asymmetry was visualized in all patients as well as the mean facial asymmetry for every Pruzansky subgroup. The mean colour-coded maps of type I and type IIA subgroups showed no differences in facial asymmetry, more pronounced asymmetry in the middle and the lower facial third was found between type IIA and type IIB (maximum 1.5 mm) and between type IIB and type III (maximum 2 mm). The degree of intensity facial asymmetry in affected middle and lower facial thirds did not change distinctly during the two time spots in all subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D geometric morphometry in OAVS patients could be a useful tool for objective facial asymmetry assessment in patients with OAVS. The calculated colour-coded maps are illustrative and useful for clinical evaluation.

• Keywords
• facial soft tissue asymmetry, geometric morphometry, oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum, three‐dimensional scanning,
• MeSH
• Facial Asymmetry * diagnostic imaging   pathology   MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Goldenhar Syndrome * diagnostic imaging   pathology   MeSH
• Cephalometry methods   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Face anatomy & histology   diagnostic imaging   pathology   MeSH
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional * methods   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Three-dimensional (3D) virtual facial models facilitate genotype-phenotype correlations and diagnostics in clinical dysmorphology. Within cross-sectional analysis of both genders we evaluated facial features in representative cohorts of Czech patients with Williams-Beuren-(WBS; 12 cases), Noonan-(NS; 14), and 22q11.2 deletion syndromes (22q11.2DS; 20) and compared their age-related developmental trajectories to 21 age, sex and ethnically matched controls in 3-18 years of age. Using geometric morphometry statistically significant differences in facial morphology were found in all cases compared to controls. The dysmorphic features observed in WBS were specific and manifested in majority of cases. During ontogenesis, dysmorphic features associated with increased facial convexity become more pronounced whereas other typical features remained relatively stable. Dysmorphic features observed in NS cases were mostly apparent during childhood and gradually diminished with age. Facial development had a similar progress as in controls, while there has been increased growth of patients' nose and chin in adulthood. Facial characteristics observed in 22q11.2DS, except for hypoplastic alae nasi, did not correspond with the standard description of its facial phenotype because of marked facial heterogeneity of this clinical entity. Because of the sensitivity of 3D facial morphometry we were able to reach statistical significance even in smaller retrospective patient cohorts, which proves its clinical utility within the routine setting.

• Keywords
• 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, 3D facial gestalt analysis, 3D imaging, Noonan syndrome, Williams-Beuren syndrome, dysmorphology, facial shape and size, geometric morphometry, ontogenetic trajectory,
• MeSH
• Models, Anatomic * MeSH
• DiGeorge Syndrome diagnosis   genetics   MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Facies * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Noonan Syndrome diagnosis   genetics   MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Williams Syndrome diagnosis   genetics   MeSH
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

BACKGROUND: A new method of early neonatal cheiloplasty has recently been employed on patients having complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (cUCLP). We aimed to investigate (1) their detailed palatal morphology before surgery and growth during the 10 months after neonatal cheiloplasty, (2) the growth of eight dimensions of the maxilla in these patients, (3) the development of these dimensions compared with published data on noncleft controls and on cUCLP patients operated using later operation protocol (LOP; 6 months of age). METHODS: Sixty-six virtual dental models of 33 longitudinally evaluated cUCLP patients were analysed using metric analysis, a dense correspondence model, and multivariate statistics. We compared the palatal surfaces before neonatal cheiloplasty (mean age, 4 days) and before palatoplasty (mean age, 10 months). RESULTS: The palatal form variability of 10-month-old children was considerably reduced during the observed period thanks to their undisturbed growth, that is, the palate underwent the same growth changes following neonatal cheiloplasty. A detailed colour-coded map identified the most marked growth at the anterior and posterior ends of both segments. The maxilla of cUCLP patients after neonatal cheiloplasty had a growth tendency similar to noncleft controls (unlike LOP). CONCLUSIONS: Both methodological approaches showed that early neonatal cheiloplasty in cUCLP patients did not prevent forward growth of the upper jaw segments and did not reduce either the length or width of the maxilla during the first 10 months of life.

• Keywords
• 3-D geometric morphometry, Early neonatal cheiloplasty, Palatal growth, Traditional morphometry, Unilateral cleft lip and palate,
• MeSH
• Algorithms MeSH
• Anthropometry methods   MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Maxilla growth & development   MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Palate growth & development   MeSH
• Cleft Palate surgery   MeSH
• Cleft Lip surgery   MeSH
• Organ Size MeSH
• Plastic Surgery Procedures MeSH
• Check Tag
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The aim of this study was to introduce suitable imaging technique and analytical methods for a detailed description of the facial movements in relation to sexual dimorphism and age in adult individuals. Removing of size factor from the analysis, we hypothesised that there will be no significant intersexual difference in facial mobility. We assume facial movements to be more pronounced in the older age category due to increasing the facial surface. We have compared five facial movements - raising eyebrows, closing eyes, pursing of the lips, inflating of the cheeks and smile - in relation to neutral expression of the human face. The material sample comprised three-dimensional facial surface models of healthy adult individuals of the Czech nationality (63 females, 58 males). Methods of geometric morphometry and multivariate statistics were used. Local tissue motion due to facial movements was expressed using colour-coded maps. The movement showing significant intersexual difference was inflating of the cheeks. Ageing in both sexes has significantly influenced the facial mobility on average after 50 years of age. Changes related to senescence have occurred in eye closing, smile and inflating of the cheeks. An enlarged facial surface has been noted in the group of individuals belonging to the older age category, what is probably the result of increased manifestation of skin folds and wrinkles. This is related to the loss of skin elasticity and overall weakening of the underlying muscles, especially in the infraorbital and cheeks area.

• Keywords
• Dense correspondence analysis, Facial mobility, Facial surface models, Morphome3cs software,
• MeSH
• Analysis of Variance MeSH
• Models, Anatomic MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Face anatomy & histology   MeSH
• Sex Characteristics * MeSH
• Movement MeSH
• Aging pathology   physiology   MeSH
• Facial Expression * MeSH
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate facial asymmetry changes in pre-school patients with orofacial clefts after neonatal cheiloplasty and to compare facial asymmetry with age-matched healthy controls. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The sample consisted of patients with unilateral cleft lip (UCL), unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). The patients were divided in two age groups with a mean age of 3 years (n = 51) and 4.5 years (n = 45), respectively, and 78 age-matched individuals as controls. Three-dimensional (3D) facial scans were analyzed using geometric morphometry and multivariate statistics. RESULTS: Geometric morphometry showed positive deviations from perfect symmetry on the right side of the forehead in the intervention groups and the controls. The UCL groups showed the greatest asymmetric nasolabial area on the cleft-side labia and the contralateral nasal tip. The UCLP group showed, moreover, asymmetry in buccal region due to typical maxillar hypoplasia, which was accentuated in the older group. The BCLP groups showed slightly similar but greater asymmetry than the control groups, except for the philtrum region. CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetry of each of the cleft groups significantly differed from the controls. Except for the buccal region in the UCLP and BCLP groups, asymmetry did not significantly increase with age.

• Keywords
• 3D scanning, Asymmetry, Cleft, Geometric morphometry, Neonatal cheiloplasty,
• MeSH
• Facial Asymmetry diagnosis   epidemiology   etiology   MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Face abnormalities   surgery   MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Lip abnormalities   surgery   MeSH
• Cleft Palate complications   surgery   MeSH
• Cleft Lip complications   surgery   MeSH
• Plastic Surgery Procedures adverse effects   methods   MeSH
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional methods   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

PURPOSE: To evaluate the facial morphology of pre-school patients with various types of orofacial cleft after neonatal cheiloplasty in pre-school aged children; and to compare facial variability and mean shape with age-corresponding healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample included 40 patients with unilateral cleft lip (CL), 22 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), and 10 patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). Patients were divided into two age categories, with a mean age of 3 years and 4.5 years, respectively. The group of healthy age-matched controls contained 60 individuals. Three-dimensional virtual facial models were evaluated using geometric morphometry and multivariate statistics methods. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between each of the cleft groups and the controls. Color-coded maps showed facial shape deviations, which were located mainly in the nasal area and philtrum in all groups examined, and also in the buccal region and the chin in patients with UCLP or BCLP. These differences became more apparent, but not significantly so, in the older age category. CONCLUSION: Facial deviations typical of patients with clefts were observed in all of the patient groups examined. Although the analysis showed statistically significant differences in overall facial shape between patients and controls among all groups tested, the facial morphology in patients who have undergone only neonatal cheiloplasty (CL) is influenced to a small extent and may be considered satisfactory. More severe cleft types (UCLP, BCLP) together with palatoplasty, are reflected in more marked impairments in facial shape.

• Keywords
• 3D imaging, Cleft, Face shape, Geometric morphometry, Neonatal cheiloplasty,
• MeSH
• Anatomic Landmarks MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Maxillofacial Development * MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Cleft Palate surgery   MeSH
• Cleft Lip surgery   MeSH
• Case-Control Studies MeSH
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To assess modelled facial development of infants with unilateral cleft lip (CL) and cleft lip and palate (UCLP) compared to controls up to two years of age. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 209 facial images of children (CL: n = 37; UCLP: n = 39; controls: n = 137) were obtained in four age categories (T0 = 0.2-0.5; T1 = 0.6-1.0; T2 = 1.1-1.5; T3 = 1.6-2.0 years) and were evaluated using stereophotogrammetry and geometric morphometry. All patients underwent lip surgery before T0, patients with UCLP underwent palatoplasty (T0, T1 before palatoplasty; T2, T3 after palatoplasty). RESULTS: In patients with CL, the forehead was significantly retracted (p ≤ 0.001), while the supraorbital and ocular regions were prominent (p ≤ 0.001). The oronasal region appeared convex (p ≤ 0.001). The lower lip and chin were non-significantly protruded. In patients with UCLP, a significantly retracted forehead and prominent supraorbital region were apparent (p ≤ 0.001). A retrusive oronasal region (p ≤ 0.001) was observed in the middle face. The chin was anteriorly protruded (p ≤ 0.01). No progression of deviations was found with increasing age. After the first year, a slight improvement in the morphological features became apparent. The shape variability of the clefts and controls overlapped, suggesting a comparable modelled facial development. CONCLUSIONS: The facial morphology of individuals with cleft was comparable to the norm. Shape deviation was apparent in the oronasal region, forehead, and chin, which minimised with increasing age even in complete clefts.

• Keywords
• 3D facial morphology, controls., geometric morphometrics, infants, neonatal cheiloplasty, unilateral cleft lip, unilateral cleft lip and palate,
• MeSH
• Photogrammetry * methods   MeSH
• Cephalometry MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Maxillofacial Development MeSH
• Face anatomy & histology   abnormalities   MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Cleft Palate * surgery   diagnostic imaging   pathology   MeSH
• Cleft Lip * surgery   pathology   MeSH
• Case-Control Studies MeSH
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH