No abstract

Current diagnosis and surgical correction of craniofacial anomalies would benefit from accurate quantitative and standardized points of reference. A retrospective study was undertaken to define normal values for a series of craniofacial measurements and to evaluate the growth patterns of the craniofacial complex through axial computed tomography (CT). Fifteen measurements were taken from 542 CT scan series of skeletally normal subjects. The measurement values were then divided into 1 -year age categories from 1 to 17 years, and into four age groups for those under 1 year of age. The normal range and growth pattern of measurement values for the cranial vault, orbital region, and upper midface are presented. The overall size of the cranio-orbito-zygomatic skeleton reaches more than 85 percent of adult size by age 5 years. The cranial vault grows rapidly in the first year of life but growth levels off early. The upper midface grows at a slower rate in infancy, but continues to grow later in childhood and early adolescence. Knowledge of the differential growth patterns and normal measurement values in the craniofacial region will help improve diagnostic accuracy, staging of reconstruction, precision of corrective surgery, and follow-up of patients.

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In this experience of contemporary open craniosynostosis surgery, rates of morbidity, mortality, and reoperation were low. These results support the merits of surgical delay, targeting an age of 6 months or older, and may serve as a more accurate metric of comparison to current minimally invasive techniques for craniosynostosis repair.

No abstract

Computed tomography (CT) is a useful modality for the management of craniofacial anomalies. A study was undertaken to assess whether CT measurements of the upper craniofacial skeleton accurately represent the bony region imaged. Measurements taken directly from five dry skulls (approximate ages: adults, over 18 years; child, 4 years; infant, 6 months) were compared to those from axial CT scans of these skulls. Excellent agreement was found between the direct (dry skull) and indirect (CT) measurements. The effect of head tilt on the accuracy of these measurements was investigated. The error was within clinically acceptable limits (less than 5 percent) if the angle was no more than +/- 4 degrees from baseline (0 degrees). Objective standardized information gained from CT should complement the subjective clinical data usually collected for the treatment of craniofacial deformities.

Current diagnosis and surgical correction of craniofacial anomalies would benefit from accurate quantitative and standardized points of reference. A retrospective study was undertaken to define normal values for a series of craniofacial measurements and to evaluate the growth patterns of the craniofacial complex through axial computed tomography (CT). Fifteen measurements were taken from 542 CT scan series of skeletally normal subjects. The measurement values were then divided into 1-year age categories from 1 to 17 years, and into four age groups for those under 1 year of age. The normal range and growth pattern of measurement values for the cranial vault, orbital region, and upper midface are presented. The overall size of the cranio-orbito-zygomatic skeleton reaches more than 85 percent of adult size by age 5 years. The cranial vault grows rapidly in the first year of life but growth levels off early. The upper midface grows at a slower rate in infancy, but continues to grow later in childhood and early adolescence. Knowledge of the differential growth patterns and normal measurement values in the craniofacial region will help improve diagnostic accuracy, staging of reconstruction, precision of corrective surgery, and follow-up of patients.

Age-related growth changes in the face and the relationships between its parts were calculated by using three vertical, two horizontal, and two projective surface measurements from 1,594 healthy North American Caucasians between 1 and 18 years of age. By 1 year, the width of the mandible was highly developed (80.2%) while its height reached only 66.6% of the eventual adult size. The mandible's height and width showed significant development between 1 and 5 years, while the face height, upper face height, face width, and the two face depth measurements exhibited continuous gradual growth after 5 years of age. In general, the face matured between 12 and 15 years in males and 2 years earlier in females. At 12 years, the upper face height, the mandible height, and the width of the face reached their mature size in females. At 15 years, the face height, mandible height, face width, and the depth of the mandible reached maturity in males.