• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.109-116
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• 2014

Background: Infants with deformational plagiocephaly (DP) usually present with cranial vault deformities as well as facial asymmetry. The purpose of this study was to use three-dimensional anthropometric data to evaluate the influence of cranial deformities on facial asymmetry. Methods: We analyzed three-dimensional computed tomography data for infants with DP (n=48) and without DP (n=30, control). Using 16 landmarks and 3 reference planes, 22 distance parameters and 2 angular parameters were compared. This cephalometric assessment focused on asymmetry of the orbits, nose, ears, maxilla, and mandible. We then assessed the correlation between 23 of the measurements and cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) for statistical significance using relative differences and correlation analysis. Results: With the exception of few orbital asymmetry variables, most measurements indicated that the facial asymmetry was greater in infants with DP. Mandibular and nasal asymmetry was correlated highly with severity of CVA. Shortening of the ipsilateral mandibular body was particularly significant. There was no significant deformity in the maxilla or ear. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the cranial vault deformity in DP is associated with facial asymmetry. Compared with the control group, the infants with DP were found to have prominent asymmetry of the nose and mandible.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.47-52
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• 2014

Background: Management of positional plagiocephaly by wearing a cranial molding helmet has become a matter of growing medical interest. Some research studies reported that starting helmet therapy early (age 5 to 6 months) is important and leads to a significantly better outcome in a shorter treatment time. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cranial remodeling treatment with wearing helmet for older infants (${\geq}18$ months). Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 27 infants with positional plagiocephaly without synostosis, who were started from 2008 to 2012. Every child underwent a computerized tomography (CT) before starting helmet therapy to exclude synostosis of the cranial sutures and had CT performed once again after satisfactory completion of therapy. Anthropometric measurements were taken on using spreading calipers in every child. The treatment effect was compared using cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) and the cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI), which were obtained from diagonal measurements before and after therapy. Results: The discrepancy of CVA and CVAI of all the patients significantly decreased after cranial molding helmet treatment in older infants (${\geq}18$ months) 7.6 mm from 15.6 mm to 8 mm and 4.51% from 9.42% to 4.91%. Six patients had confirmed successful outcome, and all subjects were good compliance patients. The treatment lasted an average of 16.4 months, was well tolerated, and had no complication. Additionally, the rate of the successful treatment (final CVA ${\leq}5mm$) significantly decreased when the wearing time per was shorter. Conclusion: This study showed that treatment by cranial remodeling orthosis was effective if the patient could wear the helmet longer and treatment duration was somewhat longer than in younger patients, well tolerated in older infants and had no morbidity. This therapeutic option is available and indicated in these older infants before other cranial remodeling surgery.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2004

Craniofacial dysostosis is considered to be one of rarely observed syndromes characterized by premature closing of all cranial sutures. The first patient was a 4-year-old male infant who had been complaining of empyema. Clinical findings showed exophthalmos, hypertelorism and facial asymmetry. Conventional radiographs demonstrated abscence of cranial sutures and underdeveloped maxilla. CT scan demonstrated the digital impressions of the inner surface of the cranial vault, enlarged and depressed sella turcica. The second patient was a 2-year-old female infant who had been complaining of facial deformity. Clinical findings showed hypertelorism and underdeveloped maxilla. Radiographs showed premature synostosis of all cranial sutures, depressed and enlarged sella turcica, and hypoplastic maxilla. 3 years after operation, her look improved. However, resurgery may be considered to decreasing intracranial pressure and for correction of facial deformity. Two interesting cases showing ‘cloverleaf’ skulls were presented.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.338-344
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• 2012

Background It is known that nonsynostotic plagiocephaly does not spontaneously improve, and the craniofacial deformities that result from it. This study was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of helmet therapy for the nonsynostotic plagiocephaly patient, and to suggest a new treatment strategy based on this analysis. Methods A total of 108 pediatric patients who had undergone helmet therapy after being diagnosed with nonsynostotic plagiocephaly were included in this study. The patients were classified according to the initiation age of the helmet therapy, severity, and helmet wearing time. The treatment effect was compared using cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) and the cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI), which were obtained from diagonal measurements before and after therapy. Results The discrepancy of CVA and CVAI of all the patients significantly decreased after helmet therapy. According to the initiation time of helmet therapy, the treatment effect was best at 5 months old or less. The helmet wearing time per day was proportional to the treatment effect up to 20 hours. In addition, the rate of the successful treatment (final CVA ${\leq}$ 5 mm) significantly decreased when the initiation age was 9.1 months or older and the treatment period was less than 7.83 months. Conclusions This study showed the effectiveness of the helmet therapy for nonsynostotic plagiocephaly patients. Based on analysis of this study, helmet therapy should be started at the age of 9 months or younger for 7.83 months or more, and the helmet wearing time should be more than 20 hours a day.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.169-181
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• 2024

Background With the advent of cranial orthoses as therapeutic medical devices for the treatment of severe positional head deformities in Japan, an increasing number of patients are being treated with them. However, assessing the effectiveness of a treatment is often difficult due to the use of different metrics. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cranial orthoses for deformational plagiocephaly using two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) evaluation metrics. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of infant patients with deformational plagiocephaly who underwent cranial orthosis treatment. We evaluated the severity of deformational plagiocephaly using cranial asymmetry (CA) and the cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) as 2D metrics, and anterior and posterior symmetry ratios as 3D metrics. The patients were divided into 24 subgroups based on the initial severity of each outcome and their age at the start of treatment. We analyzed the changes in outcomes and correlations within improvements across the age and severity categories. Results Overall, 1,038 infants were included in this study. The mean CA, CVAI, and anterior and posterior symmetry ratios improved significantly after cranial orthosis treatment. The improvement in each score was greater in patients with more severe initial deformities and in those who underwent treatment at a younger age. Conclusion Cranial orthosis treatment was effective in correcting deformational plagiocephaly in infants, as demonstrated by improvements in both 2D and 3D metrics. Patients with more severe initial deformities and those who underwent treatment at a younger age showed greater improvement.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.443-450
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• 2022

This study developed a three-dimensional helmet mold design software that can design helmets for treating the infant plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) using three-dimensional head scan data. For this, the three-dimensional head data of sixth SizeKorea body measurement project as well as the data produced by a head modeling software were used to prepare the head shape data of plagiocephaly patients. A total of 14 landmarks and 10 dimensions of heads required for helmet mold shape design and plagiocephaly diagnosis were automatically measured using an anthropometric analysis software. Using the software developed in this study, plagiocephaly can be diagnosed not only visually by three-dimensional head data visualization but also quantitatively by calculating the medically defined indices such as cranial index, which measures the proportions of the head, and the cranial vault asymmetry index, which measures the asymmetry of the head. The basic shape of the helmet mold was automatically generated based on the head scan data. Additionally, it is possible to fine tune the shape of the mold to reflect individual characteristics by using a free form deformation technique. Finally, the designed helmet mold was converted into the data that can be printed on a three-dimensional printer for generating the actual prototype.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.474-478
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• 2005

Craniosynostosis is a congenital anomaly characterized by premature closure of cranial sutures. Surgical intervention should be performed during infancy. However, surgical correction of craniosynostosis remains bone defect and secondary angle occasionally. Currently, publications investigating solutions to bone defect and secondary angle created by cranioplasty are getting much interest. We have used $BoneSource^{(R)}$ which is relatively safe as an implantable substance for providing solutions for this problem. From June 2002 to January 2004, five children with craniosynostosis underwent frontocalvarial contouring using $BoneSource^{(R)}$ and concurrent cranial vault remodeling. The patient ages ranged from 8.0 months to 4.9 years(mean, 2.5 years). The quantity of $BoneSource^{(R)}$ implanted ranged from 10 to 25g, with a mean of 13g. This paper presents the first series of children treated with $BoneSource^{(R)}$ for frontocalvarial contouring in the surgical correction of craniosynostosis. No patients experienced any complications. Our results shows excellent retention of contour without causing asymmetry or irregularity. No visible evidence of interference with craniofacial growth were observed. Through our experiences, $BoneSource^{(R)}$ is found to be very useful for frontocalvarial contouring in children undergoing correction of craniosynostosis.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.594-606
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• 1996

This study was intended to perform the relationships between mandibualr lateral deviation in facial asymmetry patients and morphology of the cranial vault. In 30 patients(males 14, female 16) using submento-vertical cephalograms that were taken in the pre-operaticve state and posteroanterioir cephalograms that were taken in centric occlusion before, immediate and long term after surgery. 1. Mean mandibular deviation was about $-3.12^{\circ}$and mean of absolute measurement was about $2.50^{\circ}$on the submento-vertical cephalograms. 2. On the submento-vertical cephalograms, there was no significant difference between non-deviation and deviation side but it had tendency that deviation side was larger than non-deviation side on the frontal portion of cranium(Y10 to Y6) and deviation side was smaller than non-deviation on the temporal portion of cranium(Y5, Y-1 to Y-5). 3. Mean mandibular deviation was about $1.40^{\circ}$and mean of absolute measurement was about $3.95^{\circ}$on the posteroanterioir cephalograms. 4. There was statistical significance on the influence of surgical change(PT2A-PT1A) to the relapse(PTLA-PT2A)(p<0.05). The more increasing of the change, the more relapse on the posteroanterioir cephalograms. 5. There was no statistical significance on the influence of degree of mandibular deviation to morphology of the cranium on the submento-vertical cephalograms. But it had tendency that the more mandibular deviation, the larger the non-deviation side on the anterior cranium and deviation side on the posterior cranium(p>0.05). 6. There was statistical significance on the influence of the degree of mandibular deviation on the posteroanterioir cephalograms to the difference between non-deviation and deviation side. The more increasing of mandibular deviation, the larger the non-deviation side on the Y4 to Y-6(p<0.05). 7. There was no statistical significance on the influence of difference between non-deviation and deviation side to the relapse on the posteroanterioir cephalograms. But it had tendency that the more increasing of the differece between non-deviation and deviation side, the more increasing the relapse on temporal of cranium.