Facial Anthropometry Using 3-D CT Image

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to analyze the structure form of the head and face using 3-dimensional computerized tomography in Korean adults. We examined CT images of 100 Koreans (50 males and 50 females) between 22 and 46 years of age. The data of the 2-dimensional CT images were sent to the personal computer in the form of DICOM (Digital Image Communication in Medicine) files and transformed to the 3-dimensional CT images using V-worksTM 4.0 program (Cybermed, Korea). The authors could have 50 soft and 50 bony tissue 3-D images of the female patients by changing the contrast from same data. We could also have 50 soft and 50 bony tissue 3-D images of the male patients by the same method. To define the structural elements, we identified the key points of upper face (eurion, frontotemporale), mid face (zygion, malar eminence), and lower face (anterior mandible, posterior mandible) in the soft tissue and skeletal images, respectively. We measured the distance between the key points and evaluated the angular relationships in construction a geometric form corresponding to these points. We were able to get the quantitative data of facial form variants and the characteristics of facial structure of Korean adults. The cranium of the male Korean is wider and higher than that of female. The facial contour is also more projected than female. Application of these concepts to surgery may be helpful in determining the plan of the intervention and evaluation of the results of procedures.