Characteristics of the Development of the Maxillae and Vomer in Patients With Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical features of the maxillae and vomer in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). Craniofacial measurements of 24 adult BCLP patients (GB) and 32 normal adult controls (GN) were carried out. We measured the width and length of the maxillae, their relative positions with respect to the coronal plane passing through the basion, and the volume, length, cross-sectional area, and mean width of the vomer. Between-group differences were assessed using independent-sample t tests. Finite element models (FEMs) were used to explore the bite forces acting on the bone by evaluating the distribution of stress and bone displacement. The mean vomer volume and width were significantly larger in the GB group than in the GN group (P = 0.000), whereas the length was significantly shorter (P = 0.000). The anterior maxillary length (A1-P3M⊥CP) was significantly larger in the GB group (P = 0.013), whereas the posterior maxillary length (P3M-P6M⊥CP) and overall maxillary length (A1-P6M⊥CP) at the dental level were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). In the BCLP FEM analysis, the maximum displacement was on the left premaxillary edge (0.2 mm), and high Mises stresses were found in the superior region of the vomer (22.4 Mpa), high tensile stresses in the inferior region (14.3 Mpa), and significant compressive stresses in the superior region (-24.7 Mpa). In summary, for BCLP patients, forward growth of the maxillae and vomer was inhibited during maxillary development, and the vomer was thicker and its volume was increased compared with the vomer in normal subjects.

Five surgical maneuvers on nasal mucosa movement in cleft palate repair: A cadaver study.

INTRODUCTION: This biomechanical study aims to characterize the nasal mucosa during palatoplasty, thereby describing the soft tissue attachments at different zones and quantifying movement following their release. METHODS: Palatal nasal mucosa was exposed and divided in the midline in 10 adult cadaver heads. Five consecutive maneuvers were performed: (1) elevation of nasal mucosa off the maxilla, (2) dissection of nasal mucosa from soft palate musculature, (3) separation of nasal mucosa from palatine aponeurosis, (4) release of mucosa at the pterygopalatine junction, and (5) mobilization of vomer flaps. The mucosal movements across the midline at the midpalate (MP) and posterior nasal spine (PNS) following each maneuver were measured. RESULTS: At the MP, maneuvers 1-4 cumulatively provided 3.8 mm (36.9%), 4.9 mm (47.6%), 6.1 mm (59.2%), and 10.3 mm, respectively. Vomer flap (10.5 mm) elevation led to mobility equivalent to that of maneuvers 1-4 (p = 0.72). At the PNS, cumulative measurements after maneuvers 1-4 were 1.3 mm (10%), 2.4 mm (18.6%), 5.7 mm (44.2%), and 12.9 mm. Here, vomer flaps (6.5 mm) provided less movement (p < 0.001). Maneuver 4 yielded the greatest amount of movement of the lateral nasal mucosa at both MP (4.2 mm, 40.8%) and PNS (7.2 mm, 55.8%). CONCLUSION: At the MP, complete release of the lateral nasal mucosa achieves as much movement as the vomer flap. At the hard-soft palate junction, the maneuvers progressively add to the movement of the lateral nasal mucosa. The most powerful step is release of attachments along the posterior aspect of the medial pterygoid.

A Rare Nasopharyngeal Teratoma Arising From the Vomer.

Teratomas are rare germ cell neoplasms derived from the 3 germinal layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm). Nasopharyngeal teratoma is a very rare teratoma arising anywhere from the oronasal cavity, regarded as an expanding, avity filling lesion, with a high mortality rate because of severe airway obstruction, especially in the neonatal period and make up only 2% of all teratomas. The authors present a case of an infant girl with a single, finger-like, hairy teratoma arising from the vomer and protruding from the mouth with bilateral complete cleft palate, cleft lip, and cleft alveolus. Complete intraoral resection of the teratoma and cleft lip repair was conducted simultaneously. Reconstruction of the cleft palate was performed at a later stage. Recurrence occurred 9 months after surgery and extended complete surgical excision was performed after recurrence, with no recurrence observed again to date. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of congenital mature teratoma.

Huge nasopharyngeal teratoma with a cleft palate and bifid tongue in a patient with pierre robin syndrome.

PURPOSE: Nasopharyngeal teratoma is a very rare neoplasm that develops on the oronasal cavity as an expanding and cavity-filling lesion. We present a rare case of nasopharyngeal teratoma associated with a cleft palate and bifid tongue in a patient with Pierre Robin syndrome. METHODS: A preterm male neonate of 33 weeks and 6 days was referred to our department. A protruding solid mass with approximately 7.0 × 4.0-cm size arising from the vomer and combined cleft palate and tongue covered with pinkish skin with lanugo were observed. In addition, there was a bandlike tissue connecting vomer and sublingual area, which divided and restricted the anterior portion of the tongue. RESULTS: An early surgical intervention was decided because of problems with airways and nutrition caused by the mass. The mass was completely removed from the vomer. The histologic examination of the mass was consistent with mature teratoma. After his first operation, he was finally diagnosed with the Pierre Robin syndrome. After 4 months, a tongue reduction was conducted for macroglossia, and after 9 months, remnant teratoma excision and a palate repair were conducted using 2-flap palatoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: A nasopharyngeal teratoma is a rare case and induces a cleft palate and bifid tongue in a preterm infant, leading to severe airway and nutritional problems. A teratoma interferes with the fusion of embryonic tissues in the early developmental period, in particular, with the palatal fusion severely prevented if the teratoma is accompanied by a Pierre Robin syndrome such as in this case.

Progressive midfacial bone erosion and necrosis: case report and differential diagnosis.

A 31-year-old woman presented with a large oro-nasal communication (ONC), loss of vomer and significant nasal cartilage and nose deformity. Physical examination of the patient revealed a typical midline destructive lesion (MDL) with nasal septum and hard/soft palate perforation with a friable granular surface and a large amount of necrotic tissues. Medical history was unremarkable and the patient denied previous local trauma, including surgical procedures or drug assumption. Pathological examination revealed the presence of necrosis and chronic inflammation. MDLs have numerous etiologies. Signs and symptoms of MDLs can be similar and an accurate diagnosis may be elusive. We hereby present detailed clinicopathological findings.

Atypical presentation of primary giant nasal septal mucopyocele.

Mucoceles are expansile, encapsulated, benign cystic lesions with the potential for adjacent bony remodeling and resorption. Previous nasal surgery, recurrent infections, allergies, and facial traumas are all possible causes of mucoceles involving mainly paranasal sinuses. When the mucocele is infected, it is referred to as mucopyocele. Nasal septal mucoceles seen in only very seldom cases might develop from pneumatized and infected nasal septa. In the current article, we present an interesting primary giant septal mucopyocele that destroys all paranasal cells as a tumoral lesion. The perpendicular plate of ethmoidal bone, vomer, and bilateral anterior and posterior ethmoidal cells were destroyed by mucopyocele. The nasal cavity was totally obstructed by lesions on both sides. On the left side, the lesion also eroded the left lateral nasal wall causing external swelling at the medial canthal region. This is the first case of a giant septal mucopyocele of its kind in the literature. Although nasal septal mucocele is very rare, it should be considered in differential diagnosis of intranasal masses.

[Anatomo-clinical features of an erysipeloid form of cutaneous leismaniasis in Tunisia]. / Particularités anatomo-cliniques d'une forme érysipéloïde de leishmaniose cutanée en Tunisie.

The erysipeloid form of cutaneous leishmaniasis is considered as an unusual and rare clinical presentation in Tunisia. Our prospective study on 4 observations, aimed at examining the clinical, histological and progressive features of the "erysipeloid" form of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Our patients were 3 females and one male more than 62 years old. Their cutaneous leishmaniasis was clinically characterised by an infiltrated and extensive plaque which was localised on the face covering the nose and cheeks looking like erysipelas. The treatment was intramuscular meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime) in three cases and metronidazole in one case. A regression without scar was noticed in all the cases. On the histological examination, we observed an intense epidermic and constant hyperplasia with presence of amastigotes in 3 cases. Our study shows the lesional polymorphism of the old word cutaneous leishmaniasis in our region. The "erysipeloid" form of cutaneous leishmaniasis is a rare clinical presentation which generally affects women. If the clinical aspect is very meaningful, the histological aspect is meaningful but not specific.