Adults with Treacher Collins Syndrome Share Comparable 3D Upper Airway Dimensions with Nonsyndromic Individuals.

Purpose: Sleep apnea symptoms, such as snoring and daytime somnolence, are commonly observed in individuals with Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) and may be related to airway obstruction due to micro- and retro-gnathia. This study aims to three-dimensionally evaluate the upper airway using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) exams of adolescents (TCS-ADOL) and adults (TCS-ADUL) with TCS compared to a nonsyndromic group (CON). Materials and Methods: Twenty-six CBCT exams were divided into three groups: TCS-ADOL (n = 7) (13.14 ± 1.67 years): CBCT exams of TCS adolescents; TCS-ADUL (n = 10) (21.80 ± 4.39 years): CBCT exams of TCS adults; and CON (n = 9) (25.33 ± 8.57 years): CBCT exams of adult nonsyndromic individuals with Class II skeletal pattern. The variables analyzed were (1) total upper airway volume; (2) nasal cavity volume; (3) total pharyngeal volume; (4) nasopharyngeal volume; (5) oropharyngeal volume; (6) pharyngeal minimal cross-sectional area; (7) pharyngeal length; and (8) pharyngeal depth. Scans were analyzed by two examiners, and intra- and inter-rater agreement was calculated. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: Although not statistically significant, the TCS-ADUL group showed decreased airway volume and minimal cross-sectional areas compared to the CON group. There were also significant differences between TCS-ADOL and TCS-ADUL, with significantly lower airway volumes in the TCS-ADOL group. Strong positive correlations were found between certain airway measurements in the TCS-ADOL group, which were not observed in adults. Conclusions: The upper airways of adults with TCS are dimensionally similar to those of nonsyndromic individuals, despite absolute value reductions found in the syndromic group. The reduced airway in the adolescent population suggests significant potential for growth, mainly in pharyngeal dimensions.

Adults With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Present Reduced Internal Nasal Volumes: Findings of a Three-Dimensional Morphometric Assessment in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Scans.

ABSTRACT: The main purpose was to assess and compare nasal cavity (NC) volumes among adults with unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) and in noncleft controls (CON), by means of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) three-dimensional reconstructions. Forty-five scans of individuals with class III skeletal pattern, matched by age, were gathered in 3 groups: UCLP (n = 15), BCLP (n = 15) and (CON) (n = 15). The NC volume was assessed three-dimensionally, using Dolphin 11.8 software. Descriptive normally distributed data was presented as mean (±SD). Comparisons of NC volume among groups was performed using ANOVA test (P ≤ 0.05). The NC mean volumes corresponded to 14.7(±2.2) cm3 (UCLP), 17.1(±2.2) cm3 (BCLP) and 18.1(±3.8) cm3 (CON), respectively. UCLP individuals presented a significantly reduced NC volume when compared to controls (P = 0.006). No differences were observed between UCLP versus BCLP or BCLP versus CON. The intraclass correlation coefficient suggested a high intra- and inter-examiners agreement (>.075). Individuals with unilateral cleft lip and palate presented reduced NC when compared to individuals without cleft lip and palate. CBCT scans can be considered a highly accurate tool for morphometric assessments of craniofacial structures.

Upper Airway 3D Changes of Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate After Orthognathic Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to 3-dimensionally assess the airway characteristics of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) who underwent orthognathic surgery. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. SETTING: The study took place at a national referral center for cleft lip and palate rehabilitation. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: The sample comprised cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans obtained before and after orthognathic surgery of 15 individuals (30 CBCT scans), divided into 2 groups: UCLP group (n = 9 patients/18 CBCT scans) and BCLP group (n = 6/12 CBCT scans). All patients had a nonsyndromic UCLP or BCLP and a skeletal class III malocclusion at the preoperative period. INTERVENTIONS: Airway volume, pharyngeal minimal cross-sectional area (mCSA), location of mCSA, sella-nasion-A point (SNA) and sella-nasion-B point (SNB) angles, and condylion-A point and condyloid-gnathion linear measurements were assessed in open-source software (ITK-SNAP and SlicerCMF). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Airway dimensions of patients with UCLP and BCLP increase after orthognathic surgery. RESULTS: After orthognathic surgery, UCLP group showed a significant 20% increase in nasopharynx volume. Although not significant, BCLP group also showed an increase of 18% in the same region. Minimal cross-sectional area remained dimensionally stable after surgery and was all located in the oropharynx region, on both groups. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between volume and mCSA on both groups. CONCLUSION: Overall, individuals with UCLP and BCLP showed an increase in the upper airway after orthognathic surgery and this might explain the breathing and sleep improvements reported by the patients after the surgery.

Three-dimensional assessment of maxillary protraction with miniplates in patients with cleft lip and palate / Avaliação tridimensional da protração ortopédica da maxila com miniplacas em pacientes com fissura labiopalatina

The aim of this study was to assess maxillary, mandibular and glenoid fossa changes after bone anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) therapy in patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Methods: The experimental group comprised 24 patients with UCLP and maxillary sagittal deficiency with a mean initial age of 11.8 years. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) exams of 24 patients with UCLP taken before (T1) and 18 months (T1) after beginning BAMP therapy were selected from the files of the Hospital of Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies. CBCTs were superimposed at the cranial base. Three-dimensional displacements of landmarks placed in surface models were quantified and visualized in color-coded maps and semi-transparency superimpositions. Kolmogorov-smirnov test was used to calculate distribution of normality. Paired t test was used to compare cleft and non-cleft sides (p<0.05). Results: A point and non-cleft central incisor displaced toward anterior (1.66mm), inferior (1.21mm) and to the cleft side. Orbitale, Infraorbitale foramen and maxillary first permanent molar displaced similarly toward anterior, inferior and medial direction. The zygoma displaced similarly toward anterior and inferior, however the cleft side showed a significantly greater lateral displacement compared to the non-cleft side. The superior concavity of the glenoid fossa showed symmetrical displacement toward anterior, lateral and superior, while the anterior and posterior eminences showed symmetrical displacements toward anterior, lateral and inferior. The mandible showed an overall symmetrical inferior and posterior displacement except for the medial pole of the condyle, which showed a significantly greater lateral displacement on the cleft side. Conclusions: Maxilla showed an anterior and inferior displacement. The glenoid fossa and the overall mandible symmetrically displaced downward and backward. The zygoma of the cleft side was the only maxillary landmark to show significantly greater lateral displacement than the non-cleft side, as well as the medial pole of the condyle on the cleft side.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as alterações da maxila, mandíbula e fossa glenóide após o tratamento com protração maxilar ancorada em osso (BAMP) em pacientes com fissura unilateral completa de lábio e palato (UCLP). Métodos: o grupo experimental foi composto por 24 pacientes com UCLP e deficiência sagital de maxila com idade inicial de 11,8 anos. Foram selecionados exames de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (CBCT) de 24 pacientes com fissura UCLP realizadas antes e após 18 meses de terapia com BAMP pertencentes ao Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais. Os exames de CBCT foram sobrepostos pela base do crânio. Deslocamentos tridimensionais foram mensurados por meio de pontos colocados em modelos de superfície, bem como foram visualizados em mapas coloridos e sobreposições de semi-transparência. A distribuição de normalidade foi calculada por meio do teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov. A comparação entre os lados com e sem fissura foi realizada por meio do teste t pareado (p<0.05). Resultados: O ponto A e o incisivo central superior do lado sem fissura deslocaram para anterior (1.66mm), inferior (1.21mm) e para o lado da fissura. Os pontos Orbitário, Forame Infra-orbitário e os primeiros molares permanentes superiores se deslocaram simetricamente para anterior, inferior e medial. O ponto Zigomático deslocou simetricamente para anterior e inferior, porém o lado da fissura apresentou um deslocamento significantemente maior para lateral comparado ao lado sem fissura. A concavidade superior da fossa glenóide apresentou um deslocamento simétrico para anterior, lateral e superior. As eminências anterior e posterior da fossa glenóide apresentaram um deslocamento simétrico para anterior, lateral e inferior. No geral, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os lados com e sem fissura para o deslocamente inferior e posterior da mandíbula. O polo medial do côndilo foi o único ponto em que o lado da fissura apresentou um deslocamento significantemente maior para lateral quando comparado ao lado sem fissura. Conclusões: A maxila mostrou um deslocamento simétrico para anterior e inferior. A fossa glenóide e a mandíbula mostraram um deslocamento simétrico para inferior e para trás. Entretanto, os pontos zigomático e polo medial apresentaram um deslocamento lateral significantemente maior no lado da fissura.(AU)