Cranial Vault Deformation and Its Association with Mandibular Deviation in Patients with Facial Asymmetry: A CT-Based Study

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Facial asymmetry is known to cause not only deformities in the facial skeleton but also alterations in the cranial vault. However, limited research has explored the association between mandibular asymmetry and cranial vault deformation. This study aimed to e...

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Main Authors: Mayuko Nishimura, Chie Tachiki, Taiki Morikawa, Dai Ariizumi, Satoru Matsunaga, Keisuke Sugahara, Yasuo Aihara, Akira Watanabe, Akira Katakura, Takakazu Kawamata, Yasushi Nishii
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Diagnostics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1702
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author Mayuko Nishimura
Chie Tachiki
Taiki Morikawa
Dai Ariizumi
Satoru Matsunaga
Keisuke Sugahara
Yasuo Aihara
Akira Watanabe
Akira Katakura
Takakazu Kawamata
Yasushi Nishii
author_facet Mayuko Nishimura
Chie Tachiki
Taiki Morikawa
Dai Ariizumi
Satoru Matsunaga
Keisuke Sugahara
Yasuo Aihara
Akira Watanabe
Akira Katakura
Takakazu Kawamata
Yasushi Nishii
author_sort Mayuko Nishimura
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Facial asymmetry is known to cause not only deformities in the facial skeleton but also alterations in the cranial vault. However, limited research has explored the association between mandibular asymmetry and cranial vault deformation. This study aimed to evaluate the three-dimensional craniofacial morphology, including the cranial vault, in patients with skeletal mandibular prognathism using computed tomography (CT) imaging. <b>Methods</b>: Patients were classified into two groups: those with facial asymmetry (ANB ≤ 0°, Menton deviation ≥ 4 mm) and those without (ANB ≤ 0°, Menton deviation < 3 mm). Reference planes were established in three orthogonal directions, and distances from anatomical landmarks on the maxilla and mandible to each reference plane were measured. Additionally, the cranial vault was segmented into four regions, and the volume of each section was calculated. <b>Results</b>: Compared with the symmetric group, the asymmetric group exhibited significant lateral displacement in the maxilla and both anteroposterior and lateral displacements in the mandible. Furthermore, a significant difference in the posterior cranial vault volume between the left and right sides was observed in the asymmetric group. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.543, <i>p</i> = 0.045) was also found between the direction of mandibular deviation and the direction of posterior cranial vault deformation. <b>Conclusions</b>: A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.543, <i>p</i> = 0.045) was observed between mandibular deviation and posterior cranial vault asymmetry. These findings may suggest that the cranial vault morphology may influence facial asymmetry, and it may serve as one of the considerations for discussing the necessity of early intervention for cranial vault deformity during infancy.
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spelling doaj-art-dc491da5776946ac8f4f3d05bfabe4522025-08-20T03:16:47ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-07-011513170210.3390/diagnostics15131702Cranial Vault Deformation and Its Association with Mandibular Deviation in Patients with Facial Asymmetry: A CT-Based StudyMayuko Nishimura0Chie Tachiki1Taiki Morikawa2Dai Ariizumi3Satoru Matsunaga4Keisuke Sugahara5Yasuo Aihara6Akira Watanabe7Akira Katakura8Takakazu Kawamata9Yasushi Nishii10Department of Orthodontics, Tokyo Dental College, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0061, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics, Tokyo Dental College, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0061, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics, Tokyo Dental College, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0061, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics, Tokyo Dental College, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0061, JapanDepartment of Anatomy, Tokyo Dental College, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0061, JapanDepartment of Oral Pathobiological Science and Surgery, Tokyo Dental College, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0061, JapanDepartment of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8666, JapanDepartment of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Tokyo Dental College, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0061, JapanDepartment of Oral Pathobiological Science and Surgery, Tokyo Dental College, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0061, JapanDepartment of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8666, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics, Tokyo Dental College, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Facial asymmetry is known to cause not only deformities in the facial skeleton but also alterations in the cranial vault. However, limited research has explored the association between mandibular asymmetry and cranial vault deformation. This study aimed to evaluate the three-dimensional craniofacial morphology, including the cranial vault, in patients with skeletal mandibular prognathism using computed tomography (CT) imaging. <b>Methods</b>: Patients were classified into two groups: those with facial asymmetry (ANB ≤ 0°, Menton deviation ≥ 4 mm) and those without (ANB ≤ 0°, Menton deviation < 3 mm). Reference planes were established in three orthogonal directions, and distances from anatomical landmarks on the maxilla and mandible to each reference plane were measured. Additionally, the cranial vault was segmented into four regions, and the volume of each section was calculated. <b>Results</b>: Compared with the symmetric group, the asymmetric group exhibited significant lateral displacement in the maxilla and both anteroposterior and lateral displacements in the mandible. Furthermore, a significant difference in the posterior cranial vault volume between the left and right sides was observed in the asymmetric group. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.543, <i>p</i> = 0.045) was also found between the direction of mandibular deviation and the direction of posterior cranial vault deformation. <b>Conclusions</b>: A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.543, <i>p</i> = 0.045) was observed between mandibular deviation and posterior cranial vault asymmetry. These findings may suggest that the cranial vault morphology may influence facial asymmetry, and it may serve as one of the considerations for discussing the necessity of early intervention for cranial vault deformity during infancy.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1702craniofacial morphologycomputed tomographygeometric morphometrics
spellingShingle Mayuko Nishimura
Chie Tachiki
Taiki Morikawa
Dai Ariizumi
Satoru Matsunaga
Keisuke Sugahara
Yasuo Aihara
Akira Watanabe
Akira Katakura
Takakazu Kawamata
Yasushi Nishii
Cranial Vault Deformation and Its Association with Mandibular Deviation in Patients with Facial Asymmetry: A CT-Based Study
Diagnostics
craniofacial morphology
computed tomography
geometric morphometrics
title Cranial Vault Deformation and Its Association with Mandibular Deviation in Patients with Facial Asymmetry: A CT-Based Study
title_full Cranial Vault Deformation and Its Association with Mandibular Deviation in Patients with Facial Asymmetry: A CT-Based Study
title_fullStr Cranial Vault Deformation and Its Association with Mandibular Deviation in Patients with Facial Asymmetry: A CT-Based Study
title_full_unstemmed Cranial Vault Deformation and Its Association with Mandibular Deviation in Patients with Facial Asymmetry: A CT-Based Study
title_short Cranial Vault Deformation and Its Association with Mandibular Deviation in Patients with Facial Asymmetry: A CT-Based Study
title_sort cranial vault deformation and its association with mandibular deviation in patients with facial asymmetry a ct based study
topic craniofacial morphology
computed tomography
geometric morphometrics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1702
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