Discrepancy in Mandibular Medullary Cavity on Different Sides: More Hints Towards Understanding Hemifacial Microsomia

The authors attempt to approach hemifacial microsomia with macroscopic techniques and look for a link between clinical manifestations with pathogenesis. In this study, for the first time mandibular medullary cavities as essential parts of the mandible were intravitally measured based on the 3-dimensional models. A total of 153 patients were included. The 3-dimensional models of patients' mandibles were reconstructed and medullary cavity volumes (mm 3 ) were measured. The ratio of medullary cavity volume to mandible volume was calculated to determine the proportion of the marrow in the bone. Statistical significance was found in mandible volumes ( P <0.001) and medullary cavity volumes ( P <0.001) on different sides. Medullary cavity volumes were significantly related to mandible volumes on both sides (both P <0.001). Medullary cavity volumes on the nonaffected and affected side were both in correlation with age but in different degrees ( r =0.214, P =0.008 versus r =0.170, P =0.036). The ratios of medullary cavity volume and the mandible were significantly different ( P <0.001) on 2 sides. The volume ratio on the nonaffected side correlated to age while this correlation did not exist on the affected side ( r =0.195, P =0.016 versus r =0.129, P =0.112). A smaller medullary cavity found on the affected side could lead to a reduced amount of bone marrow cells and consequently reduced osteogenic and hematopoietic potential. This could result in abnormal bone formation on the affected side of mandible. Proportions of marrow in bone on the affected side irrelevant to patients' ages signify a poorer potential of expansion. This may explain a higher reluctancy of growth in affected mandibular sides.