Surgical versus non-surgical management of orbital fractures: study protocol for evidence generation of a prospective multicentre observational cohort registry.

Introduction: There remains little consensus or guidelines for the clinical management of traumatic orbital fractures (OFx). The OFx Registry aims to increase real-world clinical evidence for the treatment of OFx via prospective, multicentre, international data collection. The primary objectives of this observational cohort study are (1) to document current treatment practices for and (2) to assess the outcomes of surgical and non-surgical treatment of orbital floor and/or medial wall fractures.

Asthma, medication use and dental caries in adolescents: a population-based study.

Introduction Asthma and dental caries may be linked through frequent mouth breathing and the use of inhaled asthma medication. However, the current literature is inconclusive on whether asthma or asthma medications increase the risk of dental caries in permanent dentition. This study aimed to investigate whether asthma, the age of asthma onset, and the use of asthma medications are associated with the caries experience of 13-year-old adolescents.

The Development of a European Registry for Facial Dysostosis Syndromes: A Delphi-Guided Approach.

Facial dysostosis syndromes (FDS) are rare congenital conditions that significantly impact facial function and appearance. At the time of this writing, standardised monitoring protocols for FDS are lacking, hampering research, and evidence-based care. Thus, a comprehensive dataset was developed within the European Reference Network for Rare and Complex Craniofacial Anomalies (ERN CRANIO).

Combined genome-wide association study of facial traits in Europeans increases explained variance and improves prediction.

Facial appearance, one of the most recognizable and heritable human traits, exhibits substantial variation across individuals within and between populations due to its complex genetic underpinning, which remains largely elusive. Here, we report a combined genome-wide association study (C-GWAS) of 946 facial features derived from 44 landmarks obtained from 3D digital facial images of 11,662 individuals of European descent. We identify 253 unlinked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 188 distinct genetic loci significantly associated with facial variation, including 64 SNPs at 62 novel loci and 33 novel SNPs within 29 previously reported face loci that are in very low LD with the previously reported top SNPs.

Semi-automated three-dimensional analysis of maxillary anomalies in patients with Muenke syndrome, Saethre-Chotzen syndrome or TCF12-related craniosynostosis: A retrospective study.

In craniosynostosis distinctive craniofacial and oral growth patterns are to be expected. This study aims to determine maxillary anomalies in craniosynostosis patients with Muenke syndrome, Saethre-Chotzen syndrome or TCF12-related craniosynostosis, using a three-dimensional semi-automated setup measurement of digital dental casts. Symmetry analysis of the maxilla of craniosynostosis patients was performed with creation of a reference frame, a palatal mesh and a distance map.

Unveiling the Phenotypic Spectrum of Miller Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Miller syndrome is an extremely rare condition in the group of facial dysostosis syndromes. These syndromes have great phenotypic overlap and variability, even within families. To facilitate the differentiation of Miller syndrome from related facial dysostosis syndromes, such as Treacher Collins and Nager syndrome, this study aims to provide an overview of the phenotypic spectrum of the syndrome.

From Fusion to Function: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Strategies in Syngnathia.

Background: Syngnathia is a very rare craniofacial anomaly, referring to different forms of fusion of the upper and lower jaw, with or without involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Due to its rarity, limited knowledge is available about the clinical manifestation and, in specific, about treatment strategies. The aim of the study is to map out the clinical manifestation and the currently used treatment options by collecting information systematically in a case series.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Following Secondary Velopharyngeal Insufficiency in Children with Non-Syndromic Cleft Palate: A Systematic Review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a possible complication following secondary velopharyngeal insufficiency surgery in patients with repaired cleft palate. Various surgical techniques are used to treat secondary velopharyngeal insufficiency after cleft palate repair, but the optimal procedure remains debatable.

Characterizing Mandibular Morphology in Robin Sequence-A 3D Statistical Shape Analysis.

Background: Robin sequence (RS) is a congenital condition and constitutes the triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and upper airway obstruction. While micrognathia is a cardinal feature of RS, its assessment is largely subjective. The aim of the present study is to describe 3D mandibular morphology in patients with RS and age-related mandibular shape variation compared with an age-matched control group.

Disturbances of Dental Development in Cleidocranial Dysplasia.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the delay in dental development in patients with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) applying a longitudinal approach of maturational stages of teeth. A secondary objective was to examine whether an increasing number of supernumerary teeth influences dental development.

Methods: A total of 38 patients were included, consisting of 13 patients with CCD and 25 without CCD, selected from the Generation R Study.

Depth-based registration of 3D preoperative models to intraoperative patient anatomy using the HoloLens 2.

Purpose: In augmented reality (AR) surgical navigation, a registration step is required to align the preoperative data with the patient. This work investigates the use of the depth sensor of HoloLens 2 for registration in surgical navigation.

Methods: An AR depth-based registration framework was developed.

AI-based association analysis for medical imaging using latent-space geometric confounder correction.

This study addresses the challenges of confounding effects and interpretability in artificial-intelligence-based medical image analysis. Whereas existing literature often resolves confounding by removing confounder-related information from latent representations, this strategy risks affecting image reconstruction quality in generative models, thus limiting their applicability in feature visualization. To tackle this, we propose a different strategy that retains confounder-related information in latent representations while finding an alternative confounder-free representation of the image data.

Perioperative Airway Management for Midface Surgery in Children With Syndromic Craniosynostosis; a Single Center Experience With Immediate Extubation.

Background: Midface advancements in children with syndromic craniosynostosis present challenges for anesthesiologists and intensive care teams.

Aims: This study reviewed the perioperative airway management protocol for immediate tracheal extubation after midface surgery at our tertiary center over the past 10 years.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed to obtain information on respiratory disorders, surgical and anesthetic management, airway support, and respiratory complications following le Fort III (LF3) and monobloc (MB) with distraction.

Poverty Dynamics and Caries Status in Young Adolescents.

Objectives: To investigate whether timing, accumulation and trajectories of poverty are associated with dental caries in young adolescents.

Methods: The study was conducted within the Generation R Study, which is an ongoing population-based prospective cohort study conducted in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. This study included 2653 children.

Quantifying dysmorphologies of the neurocranium using artificial neural networks.

Background: Craniosynostosis, a congenital condition characterized by the premature fusion of cranial sutures, necessitates objective methods for evaluating cranial morphology to enhance patient treatment. Current subjective assessments often lead to inconsistent outcomes. This study introduces a novel, quantitative approach to classify craniosynostosis and measure its severity.

Predicting skin cancer risk from facial images with an explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) based approach: a proof-of-concept study.

Background: Efficient identification of individuals at high risk of skin cancer is crucial for implementing personalized screening strategies and subsequent care. While Artificial Intelligence holds promising potential for predictive analysis using image data, its application for skin cancer risk prediction utilizing facial images remains unexplored. We present a neural network-based explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) approach for skin cancer risk prediction based on 2D facial images and compare its efficacy to 18 established skin cancer risk factors using data from the Rotterdam Study.

Personalizing dental screening and prevention protocols in dentulous patients with oropharyngeal cancer undergoing radiotherapy: A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Patients with head and neck cancer are routinely screened for dental foci prior to radiotherapy (RT) to prevent post- RT tooth extractions associated with an increased risk of osteoradionecrosis. We evaluated the risk factors for post-RT tooth extraction to personalise dental screening and prevention protocols prior to RT.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective cohort study included dentulous patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer who had undergone radiation therapy at doses 60-70 Gy and achieved a disease-free survival of ≥ 1 year (N = 174).

Bone health index in the assessment of bone health: The Generation R Study.

Bone Health Index (BHI) has been proposed as a useful instrument for assessing bone health in children. However, its relationship with fracture risk remains unknown. We aimed to investigate whether BHI is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and prevalent fracture odds in children from the Generation R Study.

Bone formation by human paediatric marrow stromal cells in a functional allogeneic immune system.

Allogeneic stem-cell based regenerative medicine is a promising approach for bone defect repair. The use of chondrogenically differentiated human marrow stromal cells (MSCs) has been shown to lead to bone formation by endochondral ossification in immunodeficient pre-clinical models. However, an insight into the interactions between the allogeneic immune system and the human MSC-derived bone grafts has not been fully achieved yet.

Developmental characteristics of the permanent upper lateral incisor in unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Objectives: This study aims to provide insights into the developmental characteristics of the upper lateral incisor in individuals with unilateral clefts.

Materials And Methods: Panoramic radiographs of a consistent group of Caucasian children taken over time (ages 6, 9, and 12) were extensively reviewed. The study assessed the distribution pattern, eruption path, tooth development, and crown size of the upper lateral incisor within the cleft region.

Automated three-dimensional analysis of facial asymmetry in patients with syndromic coronal synostosis: A retrospective study.

Craniosynostosis, characterized by premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, results in a distorted skull shape. Only three studies have assessed facial asymmetry manually in unicoronal synostosis patients. It is therefore important to understand how uni- and bicoronal synostosis affect facial asymmetry with a minimum risk of human bias.

Non-Surgical Respiratory Management in Relation to Feeding and Growth in Patients with Robin Sequence; a Prospective Longitudinal Study.

Objective: To reflect upon our non-surgical respiratory management by evaluating clinical outcomes regarding airway, feeding, and growth during the first year of life in patients with Robin Sequence.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Three-dimensional dento-skeletal effects of mandibular midline distraction and surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion: A retrospective study.

It was the aim of the study to provide a three-dimensional evaluation of dento-skeletal effects following bone-borne vs tooth-borne mandibular midline distraction (MMD) and tooth-borne surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME). A retrospective observational study was conducted. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) records were taken pre-operatively (T1), immediately post-distraction (T2) and 1 year post-operatively (T3).

Adherence to dietary guidelines and dental caries among children: a longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Even though dietary sugars are the most important nutrient for caries development, the disease process is dependent on other dietary practices. The intake of individual nutrient components cannot be evaluated separately from the overall diet which includes other nutrients, foods and habits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between adherence to dietary guidelines and dental caries.