A comparison of the accuracy and feasibility of a low-cost mobile application versus higher-cost handheld 3D scanner for digital ear prosthetics.

Background: Facial prosthetics are an important means to rehabilitate patients with congenital or acquired facial defects. However, with a time-consuming manual workflow and workforce shortage, access to facial prosthetics is limited in Australia and worldwide, especially for rural and remote patients. Optical 3D scanning has been increasingly integrated in digitizing data.

A comparison of preoperative soft tissue contour versus bone accuracy as a predictor of quality of life outcomes in osseous free flap jaw reconstruction using occlusal-based virtual surgical planning.

Objectives: Occlusal-based virtual surgical planning (VSP) prioritises the placement of endosseous dental implants, over replicating native bone contour. This may compromise facial aesthetics. This study aimed to compare function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following maxillomandibular reconstruction according to the ability to replicate preoperative soft-tissue contour and virtual plan.

Clinical application of 3-dimensional tissue volume assessment using CloudCompare.

Adjunctive procedures, including autologous fat grafting and surgical debulking, may be required to optimise facial contours following maxillomandibular reconstruction. A standardised method for the quantitative analysis of volumetric change and the impact of restoration of facial symmetry on health-related quality of life remains unclear. We use two case studies to illustrate the value of a combination of objective 3-dimenmsional (3D) measurements, clinical assessments, and patient-reported outcomes, using the FACE-Q questionnaire to elucidate the benefits of adjunctive procedures.

Long-term durability of uterine artery embolisation for treatment of symptomatic adenomyosis.

Background: Failing conservative therapies, uterine artery embolisation (UAE) has been proposed as a uterine-sparing option for treatment of symptomatic adenomyosis. UAE appears effective at short-term; however long-term durability is less well established.

Aims: To evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy of UAE for treatment of adenomyosis.

Microglia show altered morphology and reduced arborization in human brain during aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Changes in microglia function are involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) for which ageing is the major risk factor. We evaluated microglial cell process morphologies and their gray matter coverage (arborized area) during ageing and in the presence and absence of AD pathology in autopsied human neocortex. Microglial cell processes were reduced in length, showed less branching and reduced arborized area with aging (case range 52-98 years).