Craniometric analysis of the nasal skeleton and midface in Caucasian population

Abstract

Background

Our goal was to obtain nasal bone and nasal pyramid morphometric measurements in Caucasian skulls and analyze variation in different age groups and gender.

Methods

Ninety caucasian skulls were grouped according to three age groups: group I (20–40), II (41–64), and III (>65). The basion (B)-nasion (N), B-anterior nasal spine (ANS), B-supradentale (SD), N-ANS, ANS-SD, and length and width of each nasal bone, height, width, and angle of the pyriform aperture were measured. Comparisons were done between age groups, males and females, between left/right sides.

Results

The distance between B-N, B-ANS, and B-SD was greater when group I was compared with group II and III in both genders with the exception that the B-N distance in male population was slightly (0.2 mm) longer in group I. There was a statistically significant directly proportional relationship between B-N and B-ANS (p < 0.001, rho 0.54), B-N and B-SD (p = 0.001, rho 0.34), and B-ANS and B-SD (p < 0.001, rho 0.90) distances in all skulls independent of age and gender. The mean nasal bone lengths were; nasal bone length at midline (F: 20.07/19.67/21.20 mm, M:23.07/22.33/23.13 mm in groups I/II/III, respectively), at lateral suture lines (F:23.9/24.93/24.33 mm, M: 27.03/26.95/27.93 mm in groups I/II/III, respectively).

Conclusion

This study not only supports the existing literature that the midface and the nasal skeleton show variation with age and gender but also adds valuable information about the nasal bone and related parameters. Nasal and midfacial surgeries should be done with particular attention to different morphology in different age and gender groups in order to provide the patient with an improved physiologic and normal result.

Level of Evidence: not ratable.

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