Imaging of cartilage and mimic muscles with MRI: anatomic study in healthy volunteers and patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to visualize different soft tissues in the perioral, nasal, and paranasal region by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).


METHODS
In this descriptive study, images of different MRI systems were assessed and compared.


METHODS
MRI was applied in five consecutive patients operated on for UCLP who underwent secondary lip and nasal correction, two patients who had not had UCLP operations, and five healthy volunteers as controls. The mimic muscles, vessels, and nasal cartilages were evaluated.


RESULTS
It was possible to visualize different parts of the paranasal and perioral mimic muscles and their interlacement in the upper lip. The nasal cartilages were also visible, and the changes after operation were demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI shows differentiated visualization of soft tissues in the cleft region and their changes after surgery. It is a valuable tool in the preoperative planning and postoperative follow-up in patients with UCLP.
Kleinheinz
J
J
Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Muenster, Waldeyerstrasse 30, D-48129 Muenster, Germany.
Joos
U
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000473:pathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000473:pathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005145:Face / Q000473:pathology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008046:Lip / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009666:Nose / Q000473:pathology