Cranial base morphology in cleft lip and palate: a cephalometric study from 7 to 18 years of age

Four cleft lip/palate groups were cephalometrically compared with a noncleft control group using three cranial base dimensions: anterior (ACB) and posterior (PCB) cranial base, and cranial base angle (CBa). The groups were compared by age from 7 to 18 years. The results showed that the cleft lip and/or alveolus group was not different from the control group in the three dimensions. Unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate and isolated cleft palate cases were generally shorter in ACB and PCB for most of the growth period, particularly after age 8 to 9 years. The cranial base angle remained similar for all the cleft groups when compared with the noncleft group. These findings support the view that intrinsic tissue defects or errors during embryologic development may result in basicranial abnormalities and orofacial clefting.