Evaluation of the reproducibility of non-verbal facial expressions in normal persons using dynamic stereophotogrammetric system / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the reproducibility of non-verbal facial expressions (smile lips closed, smile lips open, lip purse, cheek puff) in normal persons using dynamic three-dimensional (3D) imaging and provide reference data for future research.@*METHODS@#In this study, 15 adults (7 males and 8 females) without facial asymmetry and facial nerve dysfunction were recruited. Each participant was seated upright in front of the 3D imaging system in natural head position. The whole face could be captured in all six cameras. The dynamic 3D system captured 60 3D images per second. Four facial expressions were included: smile lips closed, smile lips open, lip purse, and cheek puff. Before starting, we instructed the subjects to make facial expressions to develop muscle memory. During recording, each facial expression took about 3 to 4 seconds. At least 1 week later, the procedure was repeated. The rest position (T0) was considered as the base frame. The first quartile of expressions (T1), just after reaching the maximum state of expressions (T2), just before the end of maximum state of expressions (T3), the third quartile of expressions (T4), and the end of motion (T5) were selected as key frames. Using the stable part of face such as forehead, each key frame (T1-T5) of the different expressions was aligned on the corresponding frame at rest (T0). The root mean square (RMS) between each key frame and its corresponding frame at rest were calculated. The Wilcoxon signed ranks test was applied to assess statistical differences between the corresponding frames of the different facial expressions.@*RESULTS@#Facial expressions like smile lips closed, smile lips open, and cheek puff were reproducible. Lip purse was not reproducible. The statistically significant differences were found on the T2 frame of the repeated lip purse movement.@*CONCLUSION@#The dynamic 3D imaging can be used to evaluate the reproducibility of facial expressions. Compared with the qualitative analysis and two-dimensions analysis, dynamic 3D images can be able to more truly represent the facial expressions which make the research more reliable.

Three-dimensional analysis of nasolabial soft tissues while smiling using stereophotogrammetry (3dMDTM) / Análisis tridimensional de los tejidos blandos nasolabiales en sonrisa utilizando estereofotogrametría (3dMDTM)

SUMMARY: The nasolabial region is the central esthetic unit of the face and is considered one of the most important determinants of the facial esthetic. The facial morphometry of soft tissues is a very important tool in facial surgery. Advances have been made recently in the capture and analysis of 3D images, which offer great development potential in the diagnosis and treatment of facial deformities. The aim of this study was to characterize the nasolabial region of patient candidates for orthognathic surgery using 3D facial captures. A study was conducted to characterize the width of the nasal base and the nasolabial angle in adult patients through 3D photographs. 30 subjects were included, taking two 3D photos each, one in a resting position and the other smiling. The three-dimensional capture was done with the 3dMDface System. The measurements were taken with the 3dMD Vultus software. The length of the alar base was an average of 34.3 ± 2.6 mm at rest, and 39.1 ± 2.9 mm smiling. The mean of the nasolabial angle was 104.6 ± 9.6° at rest and 105.4 ± 14.3º smiling. Additionally, the distance of the alar base smiling compared to its distance at rest increased an average of 4.83 mm, whereas the nasolabial angle smiling increased an average of 0.8º compared to at rest. In this study, the nasolabial angle did not present any significant changes so that its assessments in the case of facial modifications can be standard; the width of the nasal base is significantly modified with the smile and thus a more intense study of any type of modification in this area is required.

RESUMEN: La región nasolabial es la unidad estética central de la cara y se considera uno de los determinantes más importantes de la estética facial. La morfometría facial en tejidos bandos, es una herramienta de gran importancia en Cirugía Facial. En el último tiempo, se han realizado avances en captura y análisis de imágenes 3D, las cuales ofrecen un gran potencial de desarrollo en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las deformidades faciales. El objetivo de éste trabajo fue caracterizar mediante capturas faciales 3D la región nasolabial de pacientes candidatos a cirugía ortognática. Se realizó un estudio para caracterizar a través de fotografías tridimensionales de pacientes adultos el ancho de la base nasal y el ángulo nasolabial. Se incluyeron 30 sujetos, tomando 2 fotografías 3D a cada uno, una en posición de reposo y otra en sonrisa. Se realizó la captura tridimensional con la camara facial 3dMDface System. Las mediciones fueron realizadas con el software 3dMD Vultus. La longitud de base alar en reposo, fue en promedio de 34,3 ± 2,6 mm, y de 39,1 ± 2,9 mm, en sonrisa. Por otra parte, la media del ángulo nasolabial en reposo fue de 104,6 ± 9,6° y en sonrisa, de 105,4 ± 14,3º. Por otro lado, la distancia de la base alar en sonrisa respecto a su distancia en reposo, aumentó un promedio de 4,83 mm, mientras que el ángulo nasolabial en sonrisa, aumentó en promedio 0,8º respecto a la posición de reposo. En esta investigación, el ángulo nasolabial no presentó cambios significativos de forma que su valoración frente a modificaciones faciales puede ser estándar; el ancho de base nasal se modifica significativamente con la sonrisa de forma que su estudio debe ser más agudo frente a cualquier tipo de modificación en esta zona.