Comparing Nasolabial Measures Using Casts and Facial Scans

Abstract

Objective: To compare nasolabial measurements on nasal casts and facial scans in infants with non-syndromic clefts. Data: Two types of clinical records obtained prior to and post- presurgical: (1) digital scans of nasal casts (N = 35); (2) 3dMD facial scans (N = 69); 34 of which had repeated facial scans on the same day. Main Outcome Measures: (1) columellar angle; (2) columella length on the noncleft or right side; (3) columella length on the cleft or left side; (4) nasal alar base width on the noncleft or right side; (5) nasal alar base width on the cleft or left side; (6) inter-endocanthal width; (7) nostril dome curvature. Results: There were no significant differences (p > .05) between nasolabial measurements obtained from nasal casts and 3dMD facial scans. Both records can be measured with good intra-rater reliabilities except the nasal alar base width and inter-endocanthal width (p < .005). However, the discrepancies are not clinically significant. Reliability between two raters based on 20 casts and 20 facial scans is also good. Conclusions: The nasolabial measurements obtained from casts and 3D facial scans are consistent, both of which show good intra- reliability and inter-rater reliability. These measurements are reproducible across repeated 3D facial scans in infants with cleft. KEY WORDS: cleft, nose, stereophotogrammetry, cast, infant.