title: A Three-dimensional Analysis of Zygomatic Symmetry in Normal, Uninjured Faces.
abstract: Current approaches to facial reconstruction are based on the assumption of facial symmetry, though this has yet to be established in the literature. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, symmetry of normal, male faces is examined here using the zygomatic complex as a bellwether for the rest of the facial skeleton. Three-dimensional models reconstructed from the computed tomography scans of 30 adult male patients displaying normal facial skeletal anatomy were analyzed. Seven zygomatic landmarks were identified on all craniofacial models, and asymmetry scores were calculated based on the average deviation distance upon reflection of 1 hemiface across the midfacial plane. Deviation maps were then generated for each zygomatic pair to enable visualization of the asymmetry. All landmarks displayed a slight (<3 mm) deviation from perfect symmetry, and analysis of zygomatic form asymmetry revealed an average of 0.4 mm of surface deviation between hemifaces. The presence of such slight asymmetries in the zygoma warrants further investigation as to the clinical relevance of such skeletal asymmetries from both an esthetic and biomechanical consideration to provide insight as to the proper approach to zygomatic restoration in cases of zygomatic fracture.
authors.affiliation: *Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA†Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University‡Bioengineering Research Laboratory, The Hand and Upper Limb Clinic, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, Canada§Department of Mechanical Engineering, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY||Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, Western University¶Wolf Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic#Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Western University, London, Canada.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belcastro
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Willing
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jenkyn
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Khadry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Galil
authors.forename: Arjang
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yazdani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D004954:Esthetics; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009915:Orbit / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult; D015050:Zygoma / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging