Common craniofacial anomalies: facial clefts and encephaloceles.

The wide variety of craniofacial malformations makes classification difficult. A simple classification system allows an overview of the current understanding of the causes, assessments, and treatments of the most frequently encountered craniofacial anomalies. Facial clefts and encephaloceles are reviewed with respect to their diverse causes, pathogenesis, anatomical features, and treatments. Approaches to the surgical treatment of these conditions are reviewed.

Common craniofacial anomalies: conditions of craniofacial atrophy/hypoplasia and neoplasia.

The spectrum of craniofacial malformations includes conditions of congenital and acquired etiology. The conditions of craniofacial atrophy and hypoplasia may arise primarily or secondary to previous therapeutic interventions. The conditions of progressive hemifacial atrophy (Romberg disease) and radiation-induced hypoplasia will be reviewed on the basis of their etiology, pathogenesis, anatomy, and treatment. Approaches to the surgical management of these conditions will be discussed. The craniofacial neoplastic conditions of fibrous dysplasia, neurofibromatosis, and craniofacial tumors will also be reviewed and discussed.

Assessment of the effects on growth of porous hydroxyapatite granule cranioplasty in the immature guinea pig craniofacial skeleton.

The immature guinea pig was used to study the effects on growth of porous granular hydroxyapatite used as an onlay cranioplasty and inlay cranioplasty to reconstruct full-thickness cranial defects in a growing craniofacial skeleton. Forty Hartley guinea pigs, 20 immature animals and 20 mature animals, were divided into four groups each containing five mature and five immature animals. The mature animals served as controls. Group I underwent elevation and replacement of the parietal periosteum. Group II underwent placement of hydroxyapatite between periosteum and parietal bone. Group III underwent elevation and replacement of autogenous bone flap after the formation of a 1 x 1-cm craniectomy defect in the parietal skull. Group IV underwent elevation of a 1 x 1-cm parietal craniectomy and reconstruction of the defect with hydroxyapatite granules placed between the dura and periosteum. Immature animals were killed at maturity at 3.5 months and mature animals were killed 2.5 months postoperatively. Macroscopic examination of the operative field, transverse and longitudinal cephalometric measurements, and histological sections encompassing the operative sites were compared. Macroscopically, all reconstructed operative sites were fully incorporated into the cranium. Histological staining of the sectioned operative site revealed no hydroxyapatite migration through the cranial bone or dura. No inflammatory or foreign body reaction was evident in the subcutaneous tissue, periosteum, or dura. No statistically significant cephalometric intergroup or intragroup differences were found at the conclusion of the study. The results of this study indicate that a granular porous form of hydroxyapatite may be used as an onlay or inlay cranioplasty in the immature guinea pig craniofacial skeleton without evidence of dural inflammation, granule migration, or growth restriction or retardation.

Common craniofacial anomalies: the facial dysostoses.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand the etiology and pathogenesis of facial dysostosis syndromes. 2. Recognize and classify common facial dysostoses. 3. Understand the different management plans for the reconstruction of facial dysostoses. The wide spectrum of craniofacial malformations makes classification difficult. A simple classification system allows an overview of the current understanding of the etiology, assessment, and treatment of the most frequently encountered craniofacial anomalies. Facial dysostoses are reviewed on the basis of their diverse etiology, pathogenesis, anatomy, and treatment. Conditions discussed include craniofacial microsomia, Goldenhar syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, Nager syndrome, Binder syndrome, and Pierre Robin sequence. Approaches to the surgical management of these conditions are reviewed.