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Soft tissue facial morphometry in subjects with Moebius syndrome
Author(s) -
Sforza Chiarella,
Grandi Gaia,
Pisoni Luca,
Di Blasio Chiara,
Gandolfini Mauro,
Ferrario Virgilio F.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0722.2009.00685.x
Subject(s) - chin , anatomy , maldevelopment , medicine , sagittal plane , facial nerve , mandible (arthropod mouthpart) , brainstem , soft tissue , facial muscles , orthodontics , palsy , surgery , biology , pathology , botany , alternative medicine , psychiatry , genus
Moebius syndrome is a congenital facial palsy associated with the impairment of ocular abduction. The three‐dimensional characteristics of the facial soft tissues of 12 male and 14 female subjects [3–52 yr of age (mean age + standard deviation: 17 + 14 yr)] were measured using a non‐invasive, computerized system; facial volumes, areas, angles, and distances were computed and compared with those obtained in reference subjects of the same age and gender. When compared with reference subjects, patients with Moebius syndrome had a more prominent and hyperdivergent face in the sagittal plane, a smaller and more prominent upper facial third; a smaller middle facial width; a smaller nose; smaller mandibular volume, depth, corpus length, and ramus height; and a more posterior positioned mandible, with a less prominent chin. In conclusion, patients with Moebius syndrome had a tendency towards a skeletal Class II pattern. These morphological variations may be the combined effect of a general alteration of the motor and sensitive facial nerves, including the trigeminal nerve, and of a maldevelopment of the brainstem.