Cephalometric nasal and soft tissue profile in cleft palate only: a comparative study

Area of Science:

• Craniofacial anomalies
• Orthodontics
• Plastic surgery

Background:

• Cleft palate only (CPO) is a common craniofacial anomaly with documented skeletal discrepancies.
• Quantitative analysis of nasal and soft tissue profiles in CPO patients is limited.
• Nasal morphology is crucial for diagnosis, treatment planning, and facial aesthetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess differences in nasal and soft tissue cephalometric morphology in young adults with CPO compared to controls.
• To provide quantitative data on nasal and midface characteristics in CPO.
• To highlight the importance of nasal profile assessment in CPO.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 118 participants (59 CPO, 59 controls) aged 16-25.
• Lateral cephalometric radiographs analyzed for angular and linear nasal/soft tissue variables.
• Statistical comparison using Welch's t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Main Results:

• CPO group showed smaller nose-lip angle, shorter nasal dorsum axis, and reduced nose length.
• Nasal depth and nasal bone length were significantly smaller in CPO patients.
• Larger nasal bone angle, nasomaxillary angle, and reduced soft tissue facial convexity (flatter midface) were observed in CPO.

Conclusions:

• Young adults with CPO exhibit reduced nasal projection and length, altered nasal bone morphology, and decreased facial convexity.
• Maxillary deficiency is associated with these observed craniofacial differences in CPO.
• Individualized treatment planning requires thorough nasal profile assessment in CPO patients.