Morphologic relationship between the cranial base and the mandible in patients with facial asymmetry and mandibular prognathism

Introduction: This study was conducted to measure the dimensional changes in the cranial base and the mandible in patients with facial asymmetry and mandibular prognathism, and to examine the morphologic relationship between asymmetries of the cranial base and the mandible. Methods: The patients were 60 adults with mandibular prognathism, divided into a symmetry group (menton deviation,<2 mm; n 5 30) and an asymmetry group (menton deviation, >4 mm; n 5 30) according to the degree of menton deviation. Three-dimensional computed tomography scans were obtained with a spiral scanner. Landmarks were designated on the reconstructed 3-dimensional surface models. Linear, angular, and volumetric measurements of the cranial base and mandibular variables were made. Results: In the asymmetry group, the hemi-base, anterior cranial base, and middle cranial base volumes were significantly larger (P <0.01), and crista galli to sphenoid, sphenoid to petrous ridge, anterior clinoid process to petrous ridge, and vomer to petrous ridge lengths were significantly longer (P <0.05) on the nondeviated side than on the deviated side. Menton deviation was significantly correlated with the difference in hemi-base volume, and ramal volume was significantly correlated with the difference in hemi-base and middle cranial base volumes between the nondeviated and deviated sides (P<0.05). Conclusions: In patients with facial asymmetry and mandibular prognathism, cranial base volume increased on the nondeviated side and was also correlated with mandibular asymmetry.