gms | German Medical Science

60th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC)
Joint Meeting with the Benelux countries and Bulgaria

German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC)

24 - 27 May 2009, Münster

A new morphometric method to assess and control the craniofacial shape in craniosynostosis patients

Meeting Abstract

  • M. Messing-Jünger - Neurochirurgische Abteilung, Asklepios Klinik Sankt Augustin
  • H. Maas - Praxis für Mund-Kiefer-Gesichtschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bad Godesberg
  • A. Röhrig - Neurochirurgische Abteilung, Asklepios Klinik Sankt Augustin
  • S. Persits - Neurochirurgische Abteilung, Asklepios Klinik Sankt Augustin
  • J. Marikar - Neurochirurgische Abteilung, Asklepios Klinik Sankt Augustin
  • M. Martini - Mund-Kiefer-Gesichtschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 60. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC), Joint Meeting mit den Benelux-Ländern und Bulgarien. Münster, 24.-27.05.2009. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2009. DocMO.08-06

doi: 10.3205/09dgnc049, urn:nbn:de:0183-09dgnc0491

Published: May 20, 2009

© 2009 Messing-Jünger et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.


Outline

Text

Objective: A new 3D morphometric method basing on a photographic holography technique is able to provide exact metric information about craniofacial shape and volume in patients with head deformities avoiding the disadvantages of radiation.

Methods: A 3D camera-mirror system scans the craniofacial surface and correlates it to metric values. The digitalized data can be processed according to measures and metric calculations needed. Objective changes in volume are demonstrated and changes of shape and contour can be visualized during follow-up. 30 consecutive paediatric patients with premature craniosynostosis of different types are prospectively enrolled in this observational study. A preop scan as well as follow-up scans at 3, 6 and 12 months are obtained and evaluated regarding objective values.

Results: All patients showed an augmentation of the craniofacial volume postoperatively and consecutive growth of head during the follow-up period. Asymmetrical deformities showed a stable symmetric appearance and cephalic indices remained in sufficient ranges. The scanning was well tolerated and less time consuming compared to 3D CT scans under anaesthesia or sedation.

Conclusions: This new morphometric method is suitable for the assessment and follow-up evaluation of craniofacial deformities and has the great advantage of avoiding radiation and anaesthesia for diagnostic procedures especially in young children.