Reliability of 3D Stereophotogrammetry for Measuring Postoperative Facial Swelling

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the reliability of three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry as a measurement instrument for evaluating soft tissue changes in the head and neck area. Twelve patients received a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). Test and retest 3D photographs were captured within the first three postoperative weeks, and a reference 3D photograph was capture at three months postoperatively. Distance measurements, mean and root mean square of the distance map, and volume differences were obtained. Reliability of these parameters was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement (SEM), and smallest detectable change (SDC). All distance measurements had an ICC > 0.91, and the distance map parameters and volume differences showed ICCs > 0.89. The neck region presented the largest SEMs (5.09 mL) and SDC (14.1 mL) for the volume difference. In conclusion, 3D stereophotogrammetry is reliable for distance and volume measurements of soft tissues in patients after a BSSO advancement.

3D Analysis of the Cranial and Facial Shape in Craniosynostosis Patients: A Systematic Review

“…Although there is generally a high level of precision and reproducibility observed for landmarks overall, it is important to note that different landmarks exhibit substantial variation in their degree of reproducibility 75,77 . In the literature, the soft gonion was more often found to have poor reproducibility and precision 75,77,78 . A potential explanation for this discrepancy could be that some landmarks are generally identified by examiners in clinical practice through palpation of underlying bony structures 77 .…”

“…75,77 In the literature, the soft gonion was more often found to have poor reproducibility and precision. 75,77,78 A potential explanation for this discrepancy could be that some landmarks are generally identified by examiners in clinical practice through palpation of underlying bony structures. 77 In addition, the limited reproducibility may be influenced by lack of color contrast and the presence of shadows.…”

Optimization of a Novel Automated, Low Cost, Three-Dimensional Photogrammetry System (PHACE)

“…This is more accurate than the published findings of 5-14 mL volume differences when measuring volumetric changes in facial swelling after orthognathic surgery using 3D stereophotogrammetry scans of the head and neck using the 3dMDface stereophotogrammetry system. 40 Quantitative depth analysis was performed on rendered models from a human subject with and without his prosthetic eye and compared to measurements obtained via a Hertel exophthalmometer (Figure 4). The change in depth digitally measured by the PHACE system was -4.22mm, while the exophthalmometer measured a change in depth of -3.5mm However, the exophthalmometer's resolution is limited to millimeters and can only be subjectively estimated by in 0.5mm increments.…”

Commentary on “How to improve infraorbital hollows with neuromodulators–A clinical prospective interventional study about the application of facial biomechanics”

“…3,4 In clinical use, SPG may miscalculate volumes by 0.2-2 mL, with smallest detectable changes ranging from 1.5 to 6 mL in the midface. 5,6 These variations in measured infra-orbital volume may be due to head positioning, gaze, muscle tone, facial expression, and erroneous superimposition with mismatching of 3D surfaces.…”