title: The O.M.E.N.S. classification of hemifacial microsomia.
abstract: The wide spectrum of anomalies associated with hemifacial microsomia (HFM) has made systematic and inclusive classification difficult. We propose a nosologic system in which each letter of the acronym O.M.E.N.S. indicates one of the five major manifestations of HFM. O for orbital distortion; M for mandibular hypoplasia; E for ear anomaly; N for nerve involvement; and S for soft tissue deficiency. The O.M.E.N.S. system is easily adapted for data storage, retrieval, and statistical analysis. A retrospective study of 154 patients with HFM classified according to the O.M.E.N.S. system confirmed the concept that the mandibular deformity is the cornerstone of the anomaly. Statistical analysis demonstrated a positive association between mandibular hypoplasia and the severity of orbital, auricular, neural, and soft tissue involvement. This study did not confirm a previously reported predominance of gender or sidedness. Analysis of statistical correlations failed to substantiate a Goldenhar variant as a syndromic entity. Our analysis showed that palatal deviation is probably caused by muscular hypoplasia and not by weakness of a particular cranial nerve.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Vento
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: LaBrie
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Mulliken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies