Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Alveolar Cleft Volume and Nasomaxillary Form in Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the alveolar cleft volume (ACV) and to study its correlation with the nasomaxillary form in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University Academic Hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: 30 patients with UCLP and 30 non-cleft patients. INTERVENTIONS: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. RESULTS: The Maxillary sinus volume (MSV) and Nasal cavity volume (NCV) were significantly reduced on the affected side in patients with UCLP (P < .001) and also in the cleft group when compared to the noncleft group (P < .01). The septal deviation measured at anterior, mid and posterior nasal spine were increased in the UCLP group significantly when compared to the non-cleft group (P < .01) and maximum deviation was seen at the mid-level. The mean ACV was found to be 0.587 + 0.396 cm3.The nasomaxillary complex was affected in UCLP patients irrespective of cleft size and a statistically significant correlation of ACV was found with septal height only (r value = -0.508). Parameters like septal height, anterior and middle maxillary width were significantly reduced (P < .01) in the cleft group when compared to the non-cleft group. CONCLUSION: The patients with UCLP showed significant differences among various parameters within the nasomaxillary complex when compared to the control group. Within the cleft group, the MSV and NCV were significantly decreased on the cleft side and also a significant negative correlation of ACV was found with septal height only.