Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model

Midface hypoplasia is a common anomaly in children with craniofacial disorders such as cleft palate and syndromic synostosis. A major functional issue associated with this condition is the narrowing of the nasopharyngeal airway, leading to respiratory disorders. A pilot study involving 30 computed tomography (CT) scan datasets across three distinct groups (normal, operated syndromic craniosynostosis, and non-operated syndromic craniosynostosis) was conducted to evaluate a published midface formula, namely 'Hariri-Ros-Nor regression model' for predictive cranial base measurement in syndromic craniosynostosis. The results obtained demonstrated that while cranial base (NBa) predictions were relatively consistent, midface width (ZMR-ZML) showed significant discrepancies from predicted values, particularly in operated syndromic craniosynostosis patients. Age was found to significantly influence measurement accuracy and prediction reliability. In conclusion, the current study suggests that age-adjusted modeling may enhance predictive accuracy in craniofacial assessment. It offers a potential tool for the preoperative evaluation and individualized surgical planning in syndromic craniosynostosis.