Quantifying Pediatric Facial Palsy

• Published in: The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal 2018-01, Vol.55 (1), p.119-126
• Main Authors: Chang, Brian L, Wilson, Anthony J, Samra Fares, Konieczny Tami, Percec Ivona, Lanning, Melissa, Friedman, Christopher, Jackson, Oksana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asymmetry; Pediatrics; Symmetry
• ISSN: 1055-6656; 1545-1569
• DOI: 10.1177/1055665617721927

Objective:This study introduces digital image correlation (DIC) as a novel technology to objectively quantify pediatric facial symmetry.Design:Descriptive cohort study of patients’ facial symmetry as measured by DIC.Setting:Academic tertiary care hospital.Patients:9 of 12 identified facial palsy and 13 of 26 identified control subjects participated.Interventions:DIC was used to quantify facial strain and symmetry as patients made the 5 standard Sunnybrook facial expressions. Each subject was evaluated according to the Sunnybrook scale by 4 evaluators, 3 plastic surgeons, and 1 occupational therapist.Main Outcome Measure:The percentage asymmetry values were calculated and compared between the facial palsy and control groups using both DIC and Sunnybrook.Results:Using DIC, facial palsy subjects had 32.99% asymmetry compared with 14.84% in controls (P < .01). Using Sunnybrook, facial palsy subjects had 24.11% asymmetry compared to 3.87% in controls (P < .01). The 2 metrics were positively correlated (P < .01). There was significant variability among the Sunnybrook evaluators (P = .02).Conclusions:DIC is a novel technique of objectively quantifying facial motion of the animated face. As surgical and medical approaches toward facial palsy expand, it is essential to have a means to compare results and improve patient outcomes.