Development of the 3D-cephalogram: a technical note.

Introduction: The authors developed the 3D-cephalogram via combination of 3D-CT and cephalometric analysis.

Methods: The 3D-cephalogram can directly express cephalometric data on the surface of skeletal structures in a manner similar to a conventional cephalogram.

Results: This analysis revealed complex facial asymmetries in particular, on either side of the mandible.

Quantitative analysis of the reconstructed breast using a 3-dimensional laser light scanner.

Postoperative cosmesis of the reconstructed breast depends on the interrelation of shape, size (volume), and symmetry. In this study, reconstructed breasts were analyzed with 3-dimensional projections generated by laser light scanning. Fifty-one cases of breast reconstruction following mastectomy (16 cases of rectus abdominis flap, 15 cases of latissimus dorsi flap, and 20 cases of tissue expansion) were evaluated 6 months postoperatively.

Combined chondrocyte-copolymer implantation with slow release of basic fibroblast growth factor for tissue engineering an auricular cartilage construct.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) may have a role in tissue-engineered chondrogenesis. However, when applied in solution, b-FGF rapidly diffuses from the implant site. In another approach for tissue engineering, poly-lactide-based copolymers have shown promise as scaffolds for chondrocytes used to tissue engineer auricular cartilage in the shape of an ear.

Orbital wall reconstruction with bone grafts from the outer cortex of the mandible.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess the efficacy of bone grafting from the mandibular outer cortex for reconstructing the orbital walls.

Material And Methods: Bone grafting was performed in 75 patients. The site the transplants were harvested from were: A: mental region, B: area posterior to the mental foramen, C: ramus region.

Bilateral parotid sialoadenitis with gonial hypertrophy.

Sialoadenitis is a non-inflammatory condition that affects mainly the parotid, and is characterised by bilateral, painless swelling, which is an appreciable problem in young women. A 28-year-old woman presented with parotid sialoadenitis with masseteric hypertrophy. She was treated by superficial parotidectomy and ostectomy of the mandibular angle and made an uncomplicated recovery.

Intracranial migration of fixation wires following correction of craniosynostosis in an infant.

Background: In the craniofacial skeleton, osseous fixation techniques for stabilization include stainless steel wire, miniplates or bioresorbable plates; in some cases, stainless steel wires are still indicated. Most recently, several case reports have demonstrated that microplates or stainless steel wires migrate intracranially when used in the craniofacial skeleton in neonates.

Patient: We present the case of a 7-year-old male who underwent treatment of brachycephaly at the age of 5 months.

Scanning electron microscopic observations of 'fractured' biodegradable plates and screws.

Background: We encountered two out of 100 cases in which implanted biodegradable plates and screws had fractured within 1 month postoperatively.

Material: Failure of the material was confirmed through clinical symptoms, radiographs or CT findings. In addition, four specimens obtained from these two cases were examined with regard to their ultrastructure using scanning electron microscopy.

Retrograde dacryocystography (RDC) utilizing a round-tipped needle.

Because the application of conventional anterograde dacryocystography has been restricted in cases with an intact lacrimal punctum, the indications are rather limited. The authors developed a new method for retrograde dacryocystography (RDC) using a hand-made round-tipped needle inserted directly into the orifice of the nasolacrimal duct. A 60 mm long aluminum tube (3 mm in diameter) was used to prepare the round-tipped needle.