Upper airway cavities morphologic features in facial asymmetries.

ABSTRACT

Facial asymmetries have an important impact on the cranio-facial structures morphology, being the result of the genetic, environmental and dysfunctional factors and their impact on the dento-maxillary complex. Asymmetries can be identified in all craniofacial structures, including the upper airway cavities. Craniofacial asymmetries can influence general growth and development by altering the respiratory function. The present study aimed to evaluate morphologic correlations of the upper airway cavities changes in facial asymmetries. Most of the cases included in the study showed on the underdeveloped side that the nostril and nasal fossa were narrowed, while the paranasal sinuses were frequently larger. However, no correlation could be established to answer whether these changes were determined by asymmetry, or if they appeared as compensatory, or if only some structures of the upper airway cavities changed morphologically in a compensatory manner.