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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Neurobiological and cultural aspects of facial asymmetry.

Facial asymmetry refers to the fact that the left and the right sides of the face during movement or rest are not identical. This asymmetry can be produced by a range of factors, such as ones that are anatomical, physiological, neurological, psychological, pathological, or sociocultural. Interaction among these various factors is not uncommon and has the potential to confound scientific investigations. When focusing on asymmetrical facial movements and expressions--which is the issue of this article--one has to make sure to control for other types of asymmetries that could confound the observations. To ensure such control, adequate judgment and measurement techniques are necessary. Some of these techniques are briefly described in this article. Furthermore, some explanations for facial asymmetrical movements are considered. From a neuropsychological perspective, it is suggested that asymmetrical facial expressions have some relationship to the functional asymmetry of the brain. But social-psychological and cultural factors, it is argued here, may also play an important role in the phenomenon of asymmetrical facial expressions, although no definitive statements regarding the nature of their role are made at this point.

Brain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The use of an intermediate splint in surgical correction of facial asymmetry].

Facial asymmetries often presents maxillary and mandibular involvement. The surgical repositioning of the maxilla in three planes of space is a must that guarantees the achievement of good function and skeletal symmetry. The Authors, looking for a more precise and correct way to quantify the maxillary movements, suggest to use an acrylic splint that guarantees the reproduction of the skeletal movements decided during the treatment planning procedures. The technique proposed, that is based on a very precise work during the model surgery, offers, as reported by the authors, good results and a significant reduction in surgery time.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Use of orthopedic finger distractor for facial asymmetry correction.

Facial asymmetry after unilateral ankylosis results due to the loss of the condylar growth center on the ankylosed side. This results in the skeletal midline deviating to the affected side, a lack of vertical growth on the same side produces a cant of the occlusal plane and mandibular retrognathism is seen as a result of the hypoplasia. The lower border of the mandibular corpus and angle on the contra lateral side is usually flattened. We report a case of facial asymmetry following unilateral ankylosis, which was treated by a combined approach with distraction osteogenesis and orthodontics. Inexpensive orthopedic finger distractors were used. The facial changes were analyzed using the Grummons facial asymmetry analysis.

Ankylosis↗
PubMed1996

Simultaneous distraction osteogenesis and microsurgical reconstruction for facial asymmetry.

Restoring facial balance in patients with severe facial asymmetry is a challenging problem for the craniofacial team. Attention to bony reconstruction as well as soft-tissue contouring is required for patients with moderate to severe deformities. Traditionally, facial skeletal reconstruction was performed with osteotomies and bone grafting. More recently, distraction osteogenesis has proven to be successful in achieving bone lengthening. For select cases, distraction osteogenesis has lessened the need for major skeletal procedures and has allowed earlier surgical intervention. The reconstruction of the soft tissues in facial asymmetry has generally been performed as a second-stage procedure after skeletal reconstruction. The disadvantage of these traditional approaches is that it requires two separate major operative procedures, with the accompanying increased morbidity, hospital stay, and cost. We present a patient with hemifacial microsomia and a grade III mandibular deformity, in whom both the hard- and soft-tissue deficiencies were corrected in one surgical procedure with mandibular distraction osteogenesis and soft-tissue augmentation with a vascularized parascapular osteocutaneous flap. The technique and results at 1-year follow-up are presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Botulinum toxin: a treatment for facial asymmetry caused by facial nerve paralysis.

Injury to the frontal or other facial nerve branches can result in an asymmetry that can be very distressful to both patient and surgeon. This is especially true following cosmetic procedures such as rhytidectomy. We propose a means to create temporary symmetry while awaiting the possible return of nerve function. Botulinum neurotoxin causes a muscle paralysis lasting for approximately 3 months, and it is well established as the preferred treatment for blepharospasm. A case is presented in which botulinum toxin type A was injected into the opposite functioning frontalis muscle of a patient with unilateral frontal nerve paralysis. The patient experienced satisfactory relief of the asymmetry caused by onesided forehead wrinkling and brow elevation. Botulinum toxin therapy should be considered for both temporary and permanent facial asymmetries due to facial nerve paralysis as well as spasm.

Botulinum Toxins↗
PubMed2006

The role of structural facial asymmetry in asymmetry of peak facial expressions.

Asymmetric facial expression is generally attributed to asymmetry in movement, but structural asymmetry in the face may also affect asymmetry of expression. Asymmetry in posed expressions was measured using image-based approaches in digitised sequences of facial expression in 55 individuals, N=16 men, N=39 women. Structural asymmetry (at neutral expression) was higher in men than women and accounted for .54, .62, and .66 of the variance in asymmetry at peak expression for joy, anger, and disgust expressions, respectively. Movement asymmetry (measured by change in pixel values over time) was found, but was unrelated to peak asymmetry in joy or anger expressions over the whole face and in facial subregions relevant to the expression. Movement asymmetry was negatively related to peak asymmetry in disgust expressions. Sidedness of movement asymmetry (defined as the ratio of summed movement on the left to movement on the right) was consistent across emotions within individuals. Sidedness was found only for joy expressions, which had significantly more movement on the left. The significant role of structural asymmetry in asymmetry of emotion expression and the exploration of facial expression asymmetry have important implications for evolutionary interpretations of facial signalling and facial expressions in general.

Affect↗
PubMed1987

Hemimaxillofacial dysplasia: a newly recognized disorder of facial asymmetry, hypertrichosis of the facial skin, unilateral enlargement of the maxilla, and hypoplastic teeth in two patients.

Hemimaxillofacial dysplasia is a newly recognized disorder consisting of unilateral enlargement of the maxillary alveolar bone and the gingiva associated with hypoplastic teeth, facial asymmetry, and hypertrichosis of the facial skin on the ipsilateral side. The overall pattern of abnormalities in both of the patients presented in this article differs significantly from previously reported types of maxillofacial asymmetry. The occurrence of the same abnormalities in two or more unrelated patients suggests, but does not prove, that pathogenesis in both cases may be the same. The present disorder needs further delineation. At present, neither the cause nor the pathogenesis is understood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Hemispheric and facial asymmetry: gender differences.

Facial asymmetry (facedness) of female and male college students was investigated. Comparisons of facedness were made between 45 female and 45 male Dartmouth undergraduates. Facedness was defined in terms of the relative sizes (in square centimetres) of the two hemifaces. Data were derived from measurements of two-dimensional frontal photographs of the subjects. Reliable differences in facedness were found between the two groups. The females on average were found to be right faced, the males left faced. This difference was interpreted in terms of the contralateral control (below the eyes) of the two sides of the face by the two hemispheres, and the known differences in cognitive processing by the two hemispheres (left hemisphere-verbal; right hemisphere-visuospatial) in females and males. The observed difference in facial asymmetry between the two sexes is attributed to differential muscular development of the two sides of the face as related to the factors just noted. Suggestions are made for further research on facedness, particularly in relation to different age groups.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Hemispheric and facial asymmetry: faces of academe.

Facial asymmetry (facedness) of selected academic faculty members was studied in relation to brain asymmetry and cognitive specialization. Comparisons of facedness were made among humanities faculty (H), faculty members of mathematics and physics (M-P), psychologists (P), and a group of randomly selected individuals (R). Facedness was defined in terms of the relative sizes (in square centimeters) of the two hemifaces. It was predicted that the four groups would show differences in facedness, namely, H, right face bias; M-P, left face bias; P, no bias; and R, no bias. The predictions were confirmed, and the results interpreted in terms of known differences in hemispheric specialization of cognitive functions as they relate to the dominant cognitive activity of each of the different groups. In view of the contralateral control of the two hemifaces (below the eyes) by the two hemispheres of the brain, the two sides of the face undergo differential muscular development, thus creating facial asymmetry. Other factors, such as gender, also may affect facial asymmetry. Suggestions for further research on facedness are discussed.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Ocular plagiocephaly: ocular torticollis with skull and facial asymmetry.

PURPOSE: To observe facial asymmetry in patients with ocular torticollis to better understand its cause. DESIGN: Observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-four consecutive patients with ocular torticollis in one author's (MFG) private practice were examined for facial asymmetry from January 1998 to August 1998. Some of these, as well as selective others before January 1998 were photographed for a total of 53 photos. METHODS: One author (MFG) examined the frontal, maxillary, and mandibular facial areas of 44 consecutive torticollis patients for appearance of unilateral compression or reduced mass. The laterality of such findings was compared with the side of the head turn or tilt. Photographs of 53 selected ocular torticollis patients were inspected and the direction of nasal tip and columella deviation compared with the direction of head tilt or turn. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjective clinical determination of appearance of unilateral facial compression or reduced facial mass. Subjective photographic determination of nasal tip and columella deviation. RESULTS: Forty-three patients with 10 types of ocular torticollis examined were included. Forty-one of 43 showed compression or reduced mass on the same side as the head turn or tilt, including 3 with adult-onset strabismus. Eight nonsuperior oblique palsy patients had nasal deviation to the same side as the torticollis. Six of the eight had head tilts. Seventeen nonsuperior oblique palsy patients had nasal tip deviation to the opposite side of the torticollis. All were pure head turns. Eight superior oblique palsy patients had nasal tip deviation to the same side as the torticollis; nine had deviation opposite. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with multiple types of ocular torticollis, including face turns, show similar appearance of facial compression on the side of the torticollis, suggesting that the tilt or turn itself may cause the asymmetry. This includes face turn strabismus, in which facial asymmetry has not previously been described. Head tilts are frequently associated with nasal tip deviation to the side of the torticollis, head turns with deviation opposite. We refer to such asymmetric facial changes associated with ocular torticollis as "ocular plagiocephaly."

Craniosynostoses↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of asymmetries between subjects with Class II subdivision and apparent facial asymmetry and those with normal occlusion.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to compare the degree of skeletal asymmetry between subjects with Class II subdivision malocclusion and apparent facial asymmetry and subjects with normal occlusion. METHODS: The sample consisted of 23 subjects with Angle Class II subdivision malocclusions and apparent facial asymmetry (mean age, 15.78 years) and 30 subjects with normal occlusions (mean age, 22.42 years). Each had all permanent teeth, including first molars. Radiographic asymmetry was assessed by measuring the relative difference in spatial position of dental and skeletal landmarks between right and left sides in both anteroposterior and transverse dimensions in the submentovertex and in the transverse and vertical dimensions in the posteroanterior radiographs. Independent t tests were used to compare radiographic asymmetries between groups. RESULTS: Despite the predominantly dentoalveolar nature of the asymmetries found in Class II subdivision malocclusions with apparent facial asymmetry, the radiographic mandibular asymmetry was small in relation to Class II subdivision malocclusions in general. The components that contributed to the asymmetric anteroposterior relationship in the Class II subdivision malocclusion with apparent facial asymmetry were mainly dentoalveolar. The primary contributor to the differences between the 2 groups was the distal positioning of the mandibular first molars on the Class II side. A secondary contributor was the mesial positioning of the maxillary first molars on the Class II side. As a consequence of the more frequent asymmetry in the lower third of face, the mandibular dental midline and the antegonial angle were deviated on the Class II side, as evaluated on the posteroanterior radiograph. CONCLUSIONS: The main component of Class II subdivision is dentoalveolar, primarily distal positioning of the first mandibular molar on the Class II side and secondarily mesial positioning of the first maxillary molar on the same side.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Should early strabismus surgery be performed for ocular torticollis to prevent facial asymmetry?

To help determine whether ocular torticollis causes facial asymmetry, we analyzed photographs of patients with long-standing head tilts for amounts of tilt and facial asymmetry. Significant facial asymmetry that correlated with the side of the head tilt was found in patients with congenital superior oblique muscle paresis, but not in patients with traumatic superior oblique muscle paresis nor in patients with dissociated vertical deviation. The mechanism explaining the development of facial asymmetry in these patients may be deformational molding of the face and skull from the infant's sleeping with its head turned predominantly to one side during the first 6 to 12 months of life. Early strabismus surgery to correct the head tilt may help prevent facial asymmetry, but ensuring that the infant sleeps with alternating head positions may be more important.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Facial asymmetry in superior oblique muscle palsy.

Facial asymmetry is an underrecognized association or sequela of torticollis in congenital or very early onset superior oblique muscle palsy, which when present in an adult, helps to confirm chronicity and prevent unnecessary neurologic evaluation. Nineteen cases of superior oblique muscle palsy were studied prospectively. Of 12 unilateral palsies presenting in adulthood, 9 were considered congenital by history and 7 (77%) of these had facial asymmetry. Large vertical fusional vergence amplitudes and torticollis, on review of childhood photographs, confirmed the early onset of the palsy in each facial asymmetry patient. In addition, two children presenting at age 18 months and 3 years of age with constant head tilting had facial asymmetry. If torticollis is corrected before maturation of the facial structure, resolution of the asymmetry may occur.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Human assessment of chimpanzee facial asymmetry.

In this study, facial asymmetry in chimpanzees was assessed using a technique that has traditionally been implemented in human studies. Image composites made of each half of chimpanzees' facial expressions were presented to humans with and without chimpanzee experience. The group of subjects with chimpanzee experience considered composites made of the left side of the chimpanzee faces as the most emotionally intense for the emotional categories of play, silent bared-teeth, scream face, and a neutral category. On the other hand, left-left composites were not consistently judged by subjects with and without chimpanzee experience as the most similar to the whole original face, which might be explained as the result of an attentional bias in the human observers towards the right side of the chimpanzee expressions. Furthermore, responses given by subjects with and without chimpanzee experience were highly correlated, which indicates that the two groups of humans perceived the chimpanzee facial expressions in a similar fashion. The finding of left-sided asymmetries in these chimpanzees' facial expressions suggests a right hemisphere asymmetry in the production of emotions in this species and it is consistent with results reported in human and other nonhuman primates.

Adult↗