A novel approach for pre-surgical evaluation of facial morphometry in children using magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain: a feasibility analysis / Un enfoque novedoso para la evaluación prequirúrgica de la morfometría facial en niños mediante imágenes por resonancia magnética de cerebro: un análisis de viabilidad

Pre-surgical evaluation of facial morphometry is frequently warranted for children with facial dysmorphism. Though many methods utilized previously for such purposes, data is scarce on using magnetic resonance (MRI) brain images for such purposes. The purpose of this study was to appraise the feasibility of utilizing MRI brain scans done in epilepsy imaging protocol to assess facial morphometry. Measurements of the face; orbit, mouth, and nose of children aged 1 to 7 years were obtained using T1 sagittal, T2 axial and three dimensional (3D) MRI images of the brain (n=20). Ability to obtain facial measurements, inter and intra-observer variability calculated. The mean age of the studied children was 4±2 years, of which 40% (n=8) were boys, and 60% (n=12) were girls. Obtaining facial measurements were reliable with high intra-observer (α=0.757 to 0.999) and inter-observer agreements (α=0.823 to 0.997). The landmarks of the cranium, upper face, and upper nose could be identified (100%) in both two dimensional (2D) and 3D images when such landmarks were contained in the imaging field of view (FOV). Landmarks of lower nose, (subalar width = 0%) or mouth (0%) were not contained in the FOV of 2D images, but contained in 3D images (100%). Both 2D and 3D images did not allow assessment of lower face or the mandible as such landmarks were not contained in the FOV.We conclude thatBrain MRIs performed to evaluate cerebral pathology can be executed to assess facial measurements, provided the FOV of the scan is adjusted to include all significant landmarks.

La evaluación prequirúrgica de la morfometría facial con frecuencia se justifica para niños con dismorfismo facial. Aunque muchos métodos se utilizaron anteriormente para tales fines, los datos son escasos sobre el uso de imágenes cerebrales por resonancia magnética (MRI) para tales fines. El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar la viabilidad de utilizar resonancias magnéticas cerebrales realizadas en el protocolo de imágenes de epilepsia para evaluar la morfometría facial.Medidas de la cara, la órbita, la boca y la nariz de niños de 1 a 7 años se obtuvieron mediante imágenes de resonancia magnética cerebral T1 sagital, axial T2 y tridimensional (3D) del cerebro (n = 20). Se obtuvieron las medidas faciales, y fue calculada la variabilidad inter e intraobservador.La edad de los niños estudiados fue de 4 ± 2 años, de los cuales el 40% (n = 8) hombre y el 60% (n = 12) mujer. La obtención de medidas faciales fue confiable con altos acuerdos intraobservador (α = 0,757 a 0,999) e interobservador (α = 0,823 a 0,997). Los puntos de referencia del cráneo, la cara superior y la nariz superior se pudieron identificar (100%) tanto en imágenes bidimensionales (2D) como en 3D cuando dichos puntos de referencia estaban contenidos en el campo de visión de la imagen (FOV). Los puntos de referencia de la parte inferior de la nariz (ancho subalar = 0%) o la boca (0%) no estaban contenidos en el campo de visión de las imágenes 2D, sino que estaban contenidos en las imágenes 3D (100%). Tanto las imágenes 2D como las 3D no permitieron la evaluación de la parte inferior de la cara o la mandíbula, ya que tales puntos de referencia no estaban contenidos en el campo de visión.Concluimos que las resonancias magnéticas cerebrales realizadas para evaluar la patología cerebral se pueden usar para evaluar las medidas faciales, siempre que el campo de visión de la exploración se ajuste para incluir todos los puntos de referencia importantes.

Anthropometric Evaluation of Facial Dimensions in Population of Western Maharashtra

Objective The present study was carried out to evaluate an average ratio between specific soft tissue parameters of the face among the young adult population of Karad, Maharashtra. The soft tissue parameters gauged in the present study are inner canthal distance, outer canthal distance, alar base width and distance between the corners of the mouth. Rationale The average ratio of soft tissue parameters of the face can act as a guideline for effective treatment of teeth and dento facial structures as well as soft tissue outlines. Materials and Methods 1,786 young adults aged between 18 and 20 years from Karad city were initially screened, out of which 1,000 were selected on the basis of the inclusion criteria. The fronto-facial photographs of the selected subjects were captured using a digital camera. The selected facial soft tissue parameters were digitally measured, and the data were subjected to statistical analysis. Result The values of the parameters measured were marginally more in males; however, the ratio among the parameters was similar in both the sexes. The average ratio between the inner canthal distance, alar base width and distance between corners of the mouth was found to be 1:1.3:1.7, and the average ratio between the outer canthal distance, alar base width and distance between the corners of the mouth was found to be 2.3:1:1.3. Conclusion The different parts of the human face exist in certain proportions. Establishing the ratio between these parameters is important to facilitate proper diagnosis and treatment planning for the specific population.