Morphologic Variability of the Mandibular Lingula and Antilingula in Unilateral Craniofacial Microsomia: A
Lei Li1, Wei Liu, Zhiyong Zhang
1Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Objective:
The lingula and antilingula are important anatomic references in oral and maxillofacial procedures. This study aims to characterize morphologic variations of the lingula and antilingula in unilateral craniofacial microsomia (CFM) and evaluate their associations.
Methods:
Cranial CT scans of 98 unilateral CFM patients (Pruzansky-Kaban types I, IIA, and IIB) were retrospectively analyzed. Lingula morphology was classified as nodular, triangular, truncated, or assimilated (absent); antilingula was recorded as present/absent. Statistical analyses included χ2 tests, Cochran-Armitage trend tests, and Cohen κ for concordance.
Results:
Among 196 mandibular sides, lingula absence occurred in 19.4%, with higher prevalence on affected sides (35.7% versus 3.1%, P<0.001). Antilingula absence increased significantly with Pruzansky-Kaban severity on affected sides (type IIB: 62.1% versus type I: 9.1%, P=0.003). Lingula-antilingula concordance was weak (κ=0.157, P=0.020).
Conclusions:
CFM patients exhibit high variability in lingula and antilingula anatomy, particularly on the affected side. Preoperative 3‑dimensional CT evaluation is therefore crucial for safe osteotomy planning.
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