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. 2013;8(3):e59391.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059391. Epub 2013 Mar 27.

Unilateral condylar hyperplasia: a 3-dimensional quantification of asymmetry

Tim J Verhoeven  1 , Jitske W Nolte, Thomas J J Maal, Stefaan J Bergé, Alfred G Becking
Affiliations

Unilateral condylar hyperplasia: a 3-dimensional quantification of asymmetry

Tim J Verhoeven et al. PLoS One. 2013.

Abstract

Purpose: Objective quantifications of facial asymmetry in patients with Unilateral Condylar Hyperplasia (UCH) have not yet been described in literature. The aim of this study was to objectively quantify soft-tissue asymmetry in patients with UCH and to compare the findings with a control group using a new method.

Material and methods: Thirty 3D photographs of patients diagnosed with UCH were compared with 30 3D photographs of healthy controls. As UCH presents particularly in the mandible, a new method was used to isolate the lower part of the face to evaluate asymmetry of this part separately. The new method was validated by two observers using 3D photographs of five patients and five controls.

Results: A significant difference (0.79 mm) between patients and controls whole face asymmetry was found. Intra- and inter-observer differences of 0.011 mm (-0.034-0.011) and 0.017 mm (-0.007-0.042) respectively were found. These differences are irrelevant in clinical practice.

Conclusion: After objective quantification, a significant difference was identified in soft-tissue asymmetry between patients with UCH and controls. The method used to isolate mandibular asymmetry was found to be valid and a suitable tool to evaluate facial asymmetry.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Illustrating step 1 removal of the confounding regions.
Step 2 computing of a mirror image. Step 3 registration procedure using the selected areas. Step 4 creation of a distance map. (The individual in this photograph has given written informed consent (as outlined in PLOS consent form) to publish this picture).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Illustrating step 5.
A reference frame is set up. The subnasal landmark (Sn) is indicated through which a plane, perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the reference frame, is computed. The new plane is used to split the (in step 4 computed) distance map. (The individual in this photograph has given written informed consent (as outlined in PLOS consent form) to publish this picture).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Histogram of the number of persons per category based on the 95th percentile.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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