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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of 3 anatomical variations of the clivus: fossa navicularis magna (FNM), canalis basilaris medianus (CBM), and craniopharyngeal canal (CPC). Findings were correlated with sex, age, and facial skeletal pattern. A total of 602 cone beam computed tomography scans of Brazilian adults were retrospectively evaluated by 2 independent examiners. The presence of an FNM, CBM, or CPC was recorded, and length, depth, and width were measured. The CBM was classified according to type (3 complete and 3 incomplete varieties). All data were correlated with sex, age, and facial skeletal pattern. Results were tested using chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests (P < 0.05). The prevalence rates for FNM, CBM, and CPC were 15.78% (n = 95), 6.64% (n = 40), and 0.17% (n = 1), respectively. No significant differences in the prevalence of the variations were found based on sex or facial skeletal patterns (P > 0.05). The median length, depth, and width of FNM were 5.55,1.83, and 4.81 mm, respectively, with no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the variables. The prevalence of FNM was significantly higher in patients aged 18 to 33 years than in those aged 34 and older (P < 0.001). An incomplete variant of the CBM, presenting as an inferior recess, was more common (32.5%). The FNM is the most prevalent anatomical variation of the clivus, especially in young adults. The sex and facial skeletal pattern of the individual do not affect the frequency of FNM, CBM, or CPC. Because of their clinical relevance, recognition of these anatomical variations is essential, as they can be misdiagnosed as pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: this work compiled the differences between the shape of the male and female skull and reproduced, in an artificial cranium, the changes resulting from the feminization of the facial skeleton. Objective: was to assess whether surgical interventions on the facial bones can result in a face with more feminine contours. Methods: initially, exploratory research was carried out to qualitatively identify male and female cranial characteristics in natural skulls. The specimens analyzed belong to the collection of two Human Anatomy Laboratories from Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Surgical interventions on facial bones were performed on an artificial male-looking skull to qualitatively assess the shift from a male cranial aspect to a female pattern. Results: This study indicated that an increase in nasofrontal angle, attenuation of the supraorbital hump, shortening of zygomatic distance, and reduction of bigonial and chin width determine a more feminine-looking face. Conclusion: bone surgical interventions indicated for facial feminization can modify the characteristics that confer masculinity to the face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More than four million people today live with Hansen’s disease, and 200,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. Lifetime effects of Hansen’s disease manifest as changes to bones of the face, hands and feet, resulting in physical impairment, secondary complications and facial changes that can be detrimental to quality of life, particularly among the elderly. Aims: This study aimed to perform a detailed characterization of rhinomaxillary syndrome and its clinical manifestations in older persons treated in the past for Hansen’s disease. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study to characterize rhinomaxillary syndrome among older persons (age 60+ years) resident at Pedro Fontes Hospital, Cariacica, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Computed tomography images were examined with three-dimensional reconstructions to assess alterations to maxillofacial bones according to criteria for radiological rhinomaxillary syndrome. Participants were examined to assess facial alterations according to criteria for clinical rhinomaxillary syndrome. Results: Rhinomaxillary syndrome was investigated in 16 participants (ten females and six males), median age 70 (range 60–89) years, age at diagnosis 20 (6–43) years and time since diagnosis 46 (26–70) years. Four participants fully met radiological rhinomaxillary syndrome criteria, four partially. All participants with full radiological rhinomaxillary syndrome presented with facial changes which met criteria for clinical rhinomaxillary syndrome, including “saddle nose” (loss of nasal dorsal height and shortened length of nose, due to cartilaginous and/or bone collapse), concave middle third of the face with sunken nose, maxillary retrognathia and inverted upper lip. Limitations: Clinical histories were incomplete for some participants because records were lost at the hospital over time. Conclusion: Until Hansen’s disease is eliminated from endemic countries, persons affected will continue to present with rhinomaxillofacial alterations caused by Mycobacterium leprae infection. Clinical protocols for assessment and long-term care need to include otorhinolaryngological evaluation, mainly to prevent secondary complications. When rhinomaxillofacial bone changes are suspected, this evaluation should be supported by computed tomography imaging, if available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that clinically presents with intellectual disabilities, facial and bone changes, and sparse hair. In Brazil, only one case has been previously reported without genetic confirmation. We present the case of an 8-year-old boy, clinically and genetically diagnosed with Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome, who developed autism spectrum disorder characteristics with a formal diagnosis at the age of eight. Diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in patients with intellectual disabilities is a clinical challenge requiring careful evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate epidemiological aspects of maxillofacial fractures in 346 hospitalized patients treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University General Hospital, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The following information was collected from the patients' medical records: gender, age, etiologic factor, type of injury, patient origin, seasonal distribution and hospital stay period. The statistical treatment analyzed data from frequency distribution and chi-squared test. The level of significance was set at 5% for all analyses. The highest incidence of maxillofacial fractures was found among males (n=290; 83.8%), with 21-30 years-old (n=120; 34.5%) and from inner cities of Mato Grosso (n=169; 48.9%). The main etiologic factor were vehicle traffic accidents (n=169; 48.9%), violence (n=65; 18.8%) and falls (n=25; 7.2%). The seasonal distribution showed that most of the cases occurred in the fall (n=89; 25.8%), winter and spring (n=77; 22.2% each). The lower third of the face was the most commonly involved region (n=276; 54.3%). The most frequently observed fracture involved the zygomatic complex (n=146; 28.7%), followed by the mandible body (n=99; 19.4%). The epidemiological aspects of maxillofacial fractures in this study were similar to those observed in other studies, regarding the prevalence of the male, age group and traffic accidents as the main etiological factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare arch widths of patients with isolated Robin sequence (IRS) operated using modified von Langenbeck technique and modified Furlow double-opposing z-plasty. Design: Retrospective, transversal study. Setting: Hospital of Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of Sao Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. Patients: Three groups of patients were analyzed. Group VL comprised 30 patients with IRS operated by von Langenbeck technique (mean age of 8.1 years); group FL included 30 patients with IRS operated by Furlow technique (7.6 years); and the control group included 30 noncleft patients with class I occlusion (7.4 years). The palate repair was performed between 1.0 and 1.7 years of age in both study groups. Transversal measurements of maxillary and mandibular arches were performed digitally on 3D digital models. Statistic: The intergroup comparison was performed using analysis of variance and Tukey test. An independent t test was used to compare the complete and incomplete types of cleft in both study groups. The level of significance was 5%. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the VL and FL groups for maxillary and mandibular arches. However, both groups showed decreased transversal dimensions compared with the control group (P < .01) for both dental arches. No differences for arch widths were observed for complete or incomplete palatal clefts. Conclusions: No influence of palate repair techniques was observed in the transversal arch widths in patients with IRS. Children with IRS operated for palate repair showed constriction of the maxillary and mandibular dental arches compared with noncleft children regardless the palatal cleft extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study is aimed to evaluate craniofacial features in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) through cephalometric analysis and to classify the facial growth pattern to observe possible facial discrepancies. Design: This is a cross-sectional study which employed a quantitative approach to compare linear and angular measurements of cephalometric analysis in lateral teleradiographic images of a clinical type sample of patients with FA. A retrospective cephalometric study was performed using cephalometric analyses of Ricketts and Steiner; growth patterns according to Ricketts' vertical growth pattern (VERT index) were also analyzed. Patients: Fifty patients diagnosed with FA who were undergoing anti-aplasia treatment at the outpatient Hematology service at the Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil were included in the study. Interventions: The patients were evaluated in the School of Dentistry of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Brazil. Exclusion criteria included patients who had used or were using growth hormone medication, had undergone bone marrow transplant, or had been previously subjected to dental treatment. Main Outcome Measures: Cephalometric points were plotted in order to set up linear and angular cephalometric measurements. Angular and linear measurements from 17 factors proposed by Ricketts' cephalometric analysis were assessed. Results: Dolicofacial appearance was observed in 52% of individuals; braquifacial in 28%, and mesofacial in 20%. Significant maxillary/mandibular discrepancy was observed. It was concluded that upon anteroposterior evaluation of facial bone structures, the FA sample presented smaller median measurements in most variables evaluated; it also presented mandibular micrognathism and mainly dolicofacial vertical growth pattern. These findings, together with other features such as skin pigmentation and microphthalmia, may lead to a possible recognition of a FA condition from a patient's facial features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The facial morphology of 2 groups of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate children (n = 75), ranging in age from 4 to 7 years old, were retrospectively studied cephalometrically before the beginning of the orthodontic treatment. Each group was submitted to a different surgical protocol. The control group was comprised of 53 children (33 males and 20 females) and was treated according to the surgical protocol of the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies (HRCA) from the University of São Paulo, in Bauru, Brazil. Lip repair was performed between 3 months and 27 months of age (mean age of 9 months) and palate repair between 12 months and 44 months of age (mean age of 19 months). The experimental group was comprised of 22 children (12 males and 10 females). They were treated with Malek's surgical protocol, modified at the HRCA, with lip and soft palate repair at 5.5 months of age on average and hard palate repair at 20 months of age on average. The cephalometric results did not show any difference, suggesting that both surgical protocols have the same influence on facial growth, at least during the age range studied. Therefore, palate repair in 2 surgical times with earlier closure of the soft palate (Malek's protocol) did not cause greater restriction to the midface growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between genetic polymorphisms in human epidermal growth factor (EGF) (rs4444903) and transforming growth factor β1 - (TGF-β1) (rs1800470) with facial measurements in patients with dentofacial deformities. A total of 144 adult patients with dentofacial deformities were included. Facial linear and angular measurements were traced in lateral cephalometric radiographs used Dolphin 2D software. Cells from oral mucosa were collected for DNA to be extracted. The polymorphisms were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Probabilites of less than 0.05 were accepted as significant. The rs4444903 heterozygous patients had a decrease in the mandibular length (p=0.043) and the length of the mandibular base (p=0.008), and homozygous A patients also had a reduction in the length of the mandibular base (p=0.013) compared with homozygous G patients. Patients AG had an increase in measurement of the anterior facial height (p=0.032) and in ANS-Me distance (p=0.022) when compared with homozygous A. To the rs1800470, heterozygous patients had an increase in the length of the mandibular base (p=0.043) when compared with homozygous A. Heterozygous AG patients had an increase in angular measurements in TGF-β1 polymorphism for the upper gonial angle, when compared with the homozygous AA (p=0.032). Genetic polymorphisms in EGF and TGF-β1 are associated with facial measurements in a Brazilian population of patients with dentofacial deformities., (Copyright © 2019 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)