Timing of Spheno-Occipital Synchondrosis Ossification in Children and Adolescents with Cleft Lip and Palate: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) 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

This study aimed to estimate the chronological age of complete fusion of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) in cleft lip and palate patients and a control group; using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

METHODS

In this retrospective study; 125 patients were enrolled (cleft lip and palate group ( = 91); control group ( = 34)). Age comparison was made with a chi-square test; and a Kaplan-Meier analysis determined the median time to reach complete fusion of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis ( <0.05).

RESULTS

The experimental group showed statistically significant differences in the median time for complete ossification between males and females ( = 0.019). 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 and 13.0 years in the experimental group and in the control group; respectively. Both for males and females; there were no statistically significant differences between experimental and control groups ( = 0.104).

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.