Timing of Spheno-Occipital Synchondrosis Ossification in Children and Adolescents with Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract

Background: Cleft lip and palate can affect the development of the maxilla, which may create a midfacial deficiency as well as an interference of the facial growth pattern and dentofacial esthetics. Objective: Estimate the chronological age of complete fusion of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis in cleft lip and/or palate patient´s and a control group, using cone beam computed tomography images. Methods: In this retrospective study, 125 patients were enrolled (cleft lip and/or palate group (n=91); control group (n=34)). Age comparison was made with Chi-square test and a Kaplan-Meyer analysis determined the median time to reach complete fusion of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (p<0.05). Results: The experimental group showed statistically significant differences in the median time for complete ossification between males and females (p=0.019). No statistically significant differences were found in the control group between males and females (p=0.104). The median time for complete ossification of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis was, for males, 15.0 years in both groups; for females, it was 14.0 years in the experimental group and 13.0 years in the control group. Conclusions: The present study showed no differences in the ossification of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis between individuals with and without cleft lip and/or palate.