The investigation of the changing facial appearance of identical twins employing a three-dimensional laser imaging system

OBJECTIVE: An investigation to determine the changing facial appearance of identical twins. DESIGN: Clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two Minolta Vivid 900 3D optical laser scanners were placed as a stereo pair to capture the soft tissues of a pair of identical twins. Each scan took approximately 2.5 s. The scanned whole faces were superimposed to determine changes in facial morphologies at different time intervals. OUTCOME MEASURES: The shell deviations between left and right scans of each patient were recorded and analysed for differences. Furthermore, final merged faces were overlaid to determine the changes in facial morphology over time. RESULTS: The results showed that changes in height and weight correlated with changes in facial morphology. CONCLUSION: The 3D laser scanning device is a clinically useful tool in the study of facial growth and facial morphology in a pair of twins.     

Missing facial parts computed by a morphable model and transferred directly to a polyamide laser-sintered prosthesis: an innovation study

Mirroring of missing facial parts and rapid prototyping of templates have become widely used in the manufacture of prostheses. However, mirroring is not applicable for central facial defects, and the manufacture of a template still requires labour-intensive transformation into the final facial prosthesis. We have explored innovative techniques to meet these remaining challenges. We used a morphable model of a face for the reconstruction of missing facial parts that did not have mirror images, and skin-coloured polyamide laser sintering for direct manufacture of the prosthesis. From the knowledge gleaned from a data set of 200 coloured, three-dimensional scans, we generated a missing nose that was statistically compatible with the remaining parts of the patient's face. The planned prosthesis was manufactured directly from biocompatible skin-coloured polyamide powder by selective laser sintering, and the prosthesis planning system produced a normal-looking reconstruction. The polyamide will need adjustable colouring, and we must be able to combine it with a self-curing resin to fulfil the requirements of realistic permanent use.     

中国人Schwarz颜面侧貌分类的审美研究

目的 应用Schwarz侧貌分类方法对中国人颜面侧貌的审美进行调查。方法 选取标准中国人面像的男女各1名，拍摄侧貌像，用Photoshop图像处理软件得到符合Schwarz分类方法的男女面像各9幅。随机选取成都市居民212名对上述面像进行评价。结果 通过多组方差分析及两两比较，男性侧貌以直面型为最佳，女性侧貌以双颌稍前突面型为最佳，与其他面型的得分比较，差异有统计学意义（P＜0．001）。结论 最具吸引力的男女侧貌有差异。直颌型组是最容易接受的面型组。侧貌美学效果有个体差异。     

应用相位测量轮廓技术重建面部睁眼三维数字化模型

目的：建立活体睁眼状态下的面部三维数字化模型,为颌面缺损的仿真修复奠定基础。方法：采用3D CaMaga人体三维彩色数字化系统对面部进行活体测量,获得三维点云数据,运用CloudForm反求工程软件对数据进行处理后,转化为相应的数字化文件格式,在Geomagic实体构造软件中重建面部三维数字化模型。结果：成功建立了面部睁眼状态下的三维数字化模型。结论：应用相位测量轮廓术可快速准确安全的重建真实的面部三维形态,该方法在颜面赝复、口腔颌面外科、正畸科、整形外科都将有广阔的应用前景。     

高低角型男孩颅面部软组织侧貌水平向生长变化的纵向研究

目的：探讨高低角型男孩颅面部软组织侧貌在水平方向的生长变化。方法：根据Bjork前颅基底稳定结构重迭法,头影测量20名男孩在自然头势状态下9、12、15和18岁的X线头颅定位侧位片,然后,统计分析颅面部软组织侧貌Ga、N′、Nasal、Sn、A′、Ls、Li、B′、Pg及Gn各点至垂直平面(Pr-VER)的水平向距离变化以及上下唇至美学平面(E—line)的垂直距离变化。结果：1)高低角型男孩在9～18岁期间额部、鼻根部及唇部与鼻尖的水平距离随年龄增加而增加,而颏部与鼻尖水平距离虽有增加,但在某些阶段其距离反而缩短。2)高角型男孩Ga、N′、Nasal、Pg及Gn点到Pr水平距离其各阶段各测量值明显大于低角型,可唇部表现则不同,高角型唇部比低角型表现为更为前突。3)高角型颏部向前生长移动幅度小于低角型,而唇部向前生长幅度明显大于低角型。相对于美学平面,低角型上下唇在9～18岁期间后退幅度明显大于高角型。结论：高低角型男孩颅面部软组织侧貌生长变化存在显著差异,其主要区别在于唇部及颏部。这对正畸临床诊断与治疗具有借鉴作用。     

透刺联合桃红四物汤对静止期瘀血性面瘫的临床研究

目的:观察透刺联合桃红四物汤对静止期瘀血性面瘫的临床疗效、肌电表现和面神经运动情况。方法:随机选取2016年2月至2017年2月在乌鲁木齐市中医医院门诊及住院部就诊的静止期瘀血性面瘫患者60例。通过抽取随机数字法分为观察组与对照组,每组30例,对照组在基础治疗的基础上加用桃红四物汤;观察组在对照组治疗方案基础上施予透刺疗法。采用House-Brackman分级量表评估面神经功能;应用肌电图机在患侧额肌、眼轮匝肌、上唇方肌和口轮匝肌,记录肌肉的肌电表现和测量运动诱发动作电位起始处的潜伏期和M波波幅。结果:1)治疗后干预组House-Brackman评分低于对照组(P0.05)。2)观察组痊愈率(66.67%)明显高于对照组(46.67%)(P0.05)。3)2组患者治疗前肌电表现以静息电位和去神经电位为主(P0.05);治疗后2组患者再生电位、减弱运动电位和正常电位产生较治疗前多(P0.05),观察组优于对照组(P0.05)。4)治疗后2组患者潜伏期均缩短(P0.05),而M波波幅增大(P0.05);观察组的改善情况面神经运动潜伏期和M波波幅均优于对照组(P0.05)。结论:透刺联合桃红四物汤能有效改善静止期瘀血性面瘫的症状,其机制可能与激活更多的再生电位、减弱运动电位和正常电位有关。     

Bloom syndrome does not always present with sun-sensitive facial erythema

Bloom syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by severe pre- and postnatal growth deficiency, immunodeficiency, an increased risk for malignancies, craniofacial dysmorphisms, and “typical” erythematous sun-sensitive skin lesions of the face. This facial rash has a butterfly-shaped distribution around the nose and is usually observed for the first time during the early years of life. Though reported as being a main feature of Bloom syndrome, there seems to be phenotypic variability regarding this facial skin rash among patients. It has been previously reported that in some individuals with Bloom syndrome these sun-sensitive lesions are less prominent or even absent. In this report we describe a 36 year old woman with short stature, microcephaly, several dysmorphisms, congenital hypothyroidism and premature ovarian failure. She was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma at 36 years of age, only a few months after her consultation at the department of Clinical Genetics. Whole Exome Sequencing demonstrated that she had Bloom syndrome caused by a compound heterozygous mutation in BLM (c.2207_2212delinsTAGATTC; p.(Tyr736Leufs*5) and c.3681del; p.(Lys1227Asnfs*52)). She did not have facial sun-sensitive erythematous rash during childhood nor adulthood. We conclude that Bloom syndrome does not always present with erythematous sun-sensitive skin lesions of the face. We would like to underline that phenotypic variation regarding this “hallmark” feature of Bloom syndrome exists. Being aware of this might prevent a delay in diagnosing this rare short-stature syndrome and, subsequently, its potential clinical implications.     

The masseteric nerve: a versatile power source in facial animation techniques

The masseteric nerve has many advantages including low morbidity, its proximity to the facial nerve, the strong motor impulse, its reliability, and the fast reinnervation that is achievable in most patients. Reinnervation of a neuromuscular transplant is the main indication for its use, but it has been used for the treatment of recent facial palsies with satisfactory results. We have retrospectively evaluated 60 patients who had facial animation procedures using the masseteric nerve during the last 10 years. The patients included those with recent, and established or congenital, unilateral and bilateral palsies. The masseteric nerve was used for coaptation of the facial nerve either alone or in association with crossfacial nerve grafting, or for the reinnervation of gracilis neuromuscular transplants. Reinnervation was successful in all cases, the mean (range) time being 4 (2–5) months for facial nerve coaptation and 4 (3–7) months for neuromuscular transplants. Cosmesis was evaluated (moderate, n = 10, good, n = 30, and excellent, n = 20) as was functional outcome (no case of impairment of masticatory function, all patients able to smile, and achievement of a smile independent from biting). The masseteric nerve has many uses, including in both recent, and established or congenital, cases. In some conditions it is the first line of treatment. The combination of combined techniques gives excellent results in unilateral palsies and should therefore be considered a valid option.     

How do I manage an acute injury to the facial nerve?

Paralysis of the facial nerve is a cause of considerable functional and aesthetic disfigurement. Damage to the upper trunk can result in eye complications with the risk of exposure keratitis. Numerous factors influence the therapeutic strategy: the cause of the injury, the time elapsed since injury, functional impairment, and the likelihood of recovery. We discuss the management of an acute injury to the facial nerve and focus on the surgical options.