Evaluation of the three-dimensional (3D) position of cervical vertebrae in individuals with unilateral posterior crossbite.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) position of the cervical vertebrae of growing subjects with unilateral posterior crossbite (UPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 1455 patients were screened, and ultimately 58 scans (26 patients with UPC and 32 controls with normal occlusion) were included after imposing inclusion/exclusion criteria. Roll, yaw, and deviation of the geometric center of C1, C2, and C3 vertebrae were measured and compared between groups. A correlation between these parameters and different variables on mandibular positioning was also carried out. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between groups for the deviation of pogonium (Pog), mandibular plane roll, and C3 roll, and patients with UPC showed higher cant or deviation. A significant correlation was reported for the roll of C2 and C3 with the deviation of Pog, a roll of the occlusal plane, and roll of the mandibular plane (p < 0.05). The greater the deviation of the Pog to one side, the greater the roll of the vertebrae with this same side up. The same tendency was observed between the roll of the occlusal plane or the mandibular plane with the roll of these cervical vertebrae. CONCLUSIONS: There is a positive correlation between transverse occlusal changes and positional deviations of the cervical vertebrae, especially C2 and C3. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study results do not allow us to infer the clinical/functional consequences of these deviations, as well as if malocclusion's treatment would result in an improvement of intervertebral relationships.

Padröes de normalidade do exame físico dos membros inferiores em crianças na idade escolar / Normal parameters of the measurements of the lower extremities in children

Para determinar valores de normalidade das medidas dos membros inferiores, avaliamos 441 crianças da raça branca, na idade dos seis aos 15 anos. Foram verificados o alinhamento do joelho no plano frontal, o perfil rotacional, o ângulo poplíteo e retraçäo do músculo tríceps sural (através de flexÒo dorsal do tornozelo). Grande variabilidade de valores foi encontrada, influenciados näo só pela idade, mas também pelo sexo. Aparentemente, o ângulo coxa-perna foi uma medida mais acurada que a distância intermaleolar para a avaliaçäo do alinhmaneto do joelho no plano frontal. Os valores do ângulo poplíteo encontrados chegam até 50 graus no sexo masculino e näo houve correlaçäo entre retraçäo dos músculos isquiotibiais e músculo tríceps sural. Um valor de cinco graus, ou mais, da flexäo dorsal do tornozelo com o joelho em extensäo pode ser considerado normal. O conhecimento dos valores normais é fundamental para distinguir condiçöes fisiológicas de anormais no exame físico dos membros inferiores.