Robinow syndrome (also named "fetal face syndrome") includes a series of anomalies including mesomelic brachymelia, bifid terminal phalanges of the hands and feet, abnormalities of vertebrae and ribs, and hypoplastic external genitalia. A midline cleft of the lower lip and mandible is an extremely rare maxillofacial deformity. Seventy cases have so far been described to our knowledge. We report a patient with Robinow syndrome and midline cleft of the lower lip and mandible and describe the reconstruction of these anomalies. We propose that this anomaly should be added to the range of malformations associated with the syndrome.

AIM:To compare the morphometric characteristics of the foramen ovale (FO) and foramen rotundum (FR) and their localization in the middle cranial fossa on the head and neck computed tomography images of patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and asymptomatic individuals. MATERIAL and METHODS:The FO and FR length, width, and area parameters were examined in 158 asymptomatic individuals and 19 patients with TN. Their localization in the middle cranial fossa was determined according to the sagittal (y) axis passing through the middle of the dorsum sella and connecting the foremost point and the rearmost point of the skull and the transverse (x) axis passing through the middle of this axis. In the comparison with asymptomatic individuals, data on the painful side of patients with trigeminal neuralgia were used. RESULTS:The mean width of the FO and its distance from the transverse axis were determined to be 3.36 ± 0.79 mm and 1.44 ± 0.39 mm in asymptomatic individuals and 2.88 ± 0.83 mm and 1.23 ± 0.45 in TN patients, respectively. These FO parameters were statistically significantly smaller in patients with TN. In asymptomatic individuals, while the mean width of the FR was determined to be 2.05 ± 0.48 mm, the mean length was 2.14 ± 0.47 mm, and its distances to the transverse axis and sagittal axis were found to be 2.65 ± 0.35 mm and 1.96 ± 0.25 mm, respectively. In patients with TN, while the mean width of the FR was revealed to be 1.77 ± 0.46 mm, the mean length was 1.78 ± 0.42 mm, and its distances to the transverse axis and sagittal axis were found to be 2.33 ± 0.40 mm and 1.87 ± 0.16 mm, respectively. These FR parameters were statistically significantly smaller in patients with TN. CONCLUSION:Statistically significantly smaller dimensions of the FO and FR and their distances to the sagittal and transverse axes in patients with TN suggested that they might be among the causes of TN.

Computer-based surgical planning associated with the production of custom-made titanium implants is a highly promising method for the treatment of cranial FD. Better radiological and cosmetic outcomes could be obtained by this technique with interdisciplinary work with medical designers.

Objectives: The structures passing through the foramen spinosum and its neurovascular relationships are of great importance for surgical approches directed to middle cranial fossa. The aim of the present study was to examine the number and location of the foramen spinosum (FS) in 3D-CT images. Methods: The study was retrospectively conducted on 3D-CT images of 177 adults. Firstly, the transverse section passing through the upper edge of the orbit, extending parallel to the Frankfurt plane was chosen. Then, the x and y-axes were determined on that transverse section. The coordinates, number, and location of the FS with respect to the foramen ovale (FO) were identified accordingly on x and y-axes. Results: While 1 FS was present in 90.96% of a total of 354 sides of 177 heads, there were 2 FS and 3 FS in 8.76% and 0.28% of the sides, respectively. The FS was located posterolaterally in 97.68%, posteriorly in 2.06%, and laterally in 0.26% with respect to the FO. In terms of FS coordinates, there was no statistically significant difference between gender and sides in the distance of the FS to the x-axis, but there was a statistically significant difference between gender and sides in the distance of the FS to the y-axis. Conclusion: Evaluation of the number of the FS and its location would help identifying and preserving neighbouring neurovascular structures during surgical interventions directed to the middle cranial fossa.