ABSTRACT
SUMMARY: Since the asymmetry is generally accepted entity which can be detected on human skulls, the goal of this study was to evaluate the presence and degree of skull base asymmetry and analyze it in relation to sex. The study included 60 skulls. Gender identification was estimated according to the external occipital protuberance, mastoid process, supraorbital margin and glabella. The asymmetry was assessed by analyzing the distance from the bilateral foramina (foramen ovale, foramen spinosum, carotid canal, foramen stylomastoideum) to the pharyngeal tubercle. Digital data were processed in the ImageJ software. The skull base asymmetry was found in all samples. Significant difference between the sides was found for the foramen ovale (p=.01). There was no significant difference in the skull base asymmetry with respect to sex. The highest index of asymmetry (7.38 %) was found in carotid canal and the lowest (5.22%) was detected in relation to the foramen stylomastoideum. By comparing the index of asymmetry between the genders significant difference occurs for the carotid canal (p=.02). Skull base asymmetry was confirmed in our study. Oval foramen showed a significant degree of asymmetry. Knowledge of the variability of the skull base is the basis for an clinical and radiological evaluation of its changes.
RESUMEN: Debido a que la asimetría detectada en cráneos humanos es aceptada generalmente, el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la presencia y el grado de asimetría de la base del cráneo y analizarla en relación con el sexo. En este estudio fueron incluidos 60 cráneos. El sexo fue determinado de acuerdo con la protuberancia occipital externa, el proceso mastoideo, el margen supraorbital y la glabela. La asimetría se evaluó analizando la distancia desde los forámenes bilaterales (foramen oval, foramen espinoso, canal carotídeo, foramen estilomastoideo) hasta el tubérculo faríngeo. Los datos digitales fueron procesados en software ImageJ. La asimetría de la base de cráneo se observó en todas las muestras. Se encontró una diferencia significativa entre los lados para el foramen oval (p = ,01). No hubo diferencias significativas en la asimetría de la base de cráneo con respecto al sexo. El índice más alto de asimetría (7,38%) se encontró en el canal carotídeo y el más bajo (5,22 %) se detectó en relación con el foramen estilomastoideo. Al comparar el índice de asimetría entre los sexos, se produce una diferencia significativa en el canal carotídeo (p = 0,02). La asimetría de la base de cráneo se confirmó en nuestro estudio. El foramen oval mostró un grado significativo de asimetría. El conocimiento de la variabilidad de la base del cráneo es importante durante la evaluación clínica y radiológica.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Skull Base/anatomy & histology , Facial Asymmetry , Cadaver , Sex Factors , Sex Characteristics , Foramen OvaleABSTRACT
Purpose: To propose an objective method for evaluating the craniofacial asymmetry in congenital muscular torticollis patients, and to determine the correlation between the craniofacial asymmetry and clinical parameters such as age and the limitation of neck motion. Materials and Methods: Forty eight patients with congenital muscular torticollis, who underwent cephalometry for an evaluation, were enrolled in this study. The craniofacial curvature on the coronal plane, calvarial asymmetry, and mastoid process length were analyzed on the radiograph of the cephalometry. These radiographic measurements were analyzed to determine the correlation between the craniofacial asymmetry and clinical parameters. Results: The craniofacial axis was tilted to the affected side by 5.2degrees+/-2.8degrees. The skullbase axis was tilted to the affected side by 2.6degrees+/-2.6degrees, and the mandible axis was tilted to the affected side by 1.0degrees+/-2.3degrees. The difference in the mastoid process length from the skullbase was 7.0%+/-8.5%. The calvarial width from the vertical midline was 15.4%+/-11.6% larger in the affected side. In patients older than 5 years, the mandibular tilting angle (p=0.017) and the length of the mastoid process (p=0.007) were greater than those of the younger patients. Conclusion: We proposed a new objective method for quantifying the craniofacial asymmetry in congenital muscular torticollis patients. This method confirmed the patients to have an angular deformity and asymmetry in the craniofacial bone.
Subject(s)
Humans , Axis, Cervical Vertebra , Cephalometry , Congenital Abnormalities , Mandible , Mastoid , Neck , TorticollisABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to investigate the degree of asymmetry in each part of the head in skeletal craniofacial asymmetric patients, and secondarily to determine the nature of difference existed between asymmetric patients and normal persons. The subjects consisted of 49 asymmetric adult patients and 52 normal adults, and the average ages were 21 years 5 months and 23 years 5 months, respectively. The computerized analyses of 33 linear measurements, 12 angular. measurements, and 8 surface areas from posteroanterior cephalometric radiograph were carried out. The conclusions were as follows; 1. Asymmetry was a common finding in both normal and asymmetric group. 2. When the analyses were undertaken after the head was divided into 3 parts anteroposteriorly and superoinferiorly in the asymmetric patients, there were significant asymmetries in all parts excepts in the cranial base region. 3. When the analyses were undertaken after the head was divided into respective 3 parts anteroposteriorly in the asymmetric patients, the more posterior part showed relative stability than the more anterior part. 4. When the analyses were undertaken after the head was divided into 3 parts superoinferiorly in the asymmetric patients, the more superior part showed relative stability than the more inferior part. 5. Twelve variables indicating asymmetry were selected and the highest ranked variable was Me-Mid-sagittal reference line.