title: Three-dimensional methodology for photogrammetric acquisition of the soft tissues of the face: a new clinical-instrumental protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study is to define an acquisition protocol that is clear, precise, repeatable, simple, fast and that is useful for analysis of the anthropometric characteristics of the soft tissue of the face.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analysis was carried out according to a new clinical-instrumental protocol that comprises four distinct phases: (1) setup of portable equipment in the space in which field analysis will be performed, (2) preparation of the subject and spatial positioning, (3) scanning of the subject with different facial expressions, and (4) treatment and processing of data. The protocol was tested on a sample comprising 66 female subjects (64 Caucasian, 1 Ethiopian, and 1 Brazilian) who were the finalists of an Italian national beauty contest in 2010. To illustrate the potential of the method, we report here the measurements and full analysis that were carried out on the facial model of one of the subjects who was scanned.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This new protocol for the acquisition of faces is shown to be fast (phase 1, about 1 h; phase 2, about 1.5 min; phase 3, about 1.5 min; phase 4, about 15 min), simple (phases 1 to 3 requiring a short operator training period; only phase 4 requires expert operators), repeatable (with direct palpation of anatomical landmarks and marking of their positions on the face, the problem of identification of these same landmarks on the digital model is solved), reliable and precise (average precision of measurements, 0.5 to 0.6 mm over the entire surface of the face).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This standardization allows the mapping of the subjects to be carried out following the same conditions in a reliable and fast process for all of the subjects scanned.
authors: Studio Associato di Odontoiatria dei Dottori Di Gioia, Bari 70122, Italy. eliana.digioia@teletu.it.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Deli
authors: Luigi M
authors: LM
authors: Galantucci
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Laino
authors: Raoul
authors: R
authors: D'Alessio
authors: Eliana
authors: E
authors: Di Gioia
authors: Carmela
authors: C
authors: Savastano
authors: Fulvio
authors: F
authors: Lavecchia
authors: Gianluca
authors: G
authors: Percoco
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D044383:Black People; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005006:Ethnicity; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010780:Photogrammetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D044465:White People