Development of a system for craniofacial analysis from monitor-displayed digital images

Objectives: To develop a program for clinical craniofacial analysis directly on monitor-displayed digital images. Methods: The program was developed in VisualBasic (Microsoft, Redwood WA,USA), using Access (Microsoft) database, for landmark identification analysis and data storage. It runs on Windows95 (Microsoft). Results: The following established cephalometric analyses were included in the program: Bjork, Down, Frontal, Jarabak, Occlusogram, Rickett and Tweed. In addition, an orthodontist can simply define his own analyses. If he wants to identify a particular landmark, he clicks on its name at the top of the screen, and the definition including a drawing will be shown. If specified in the analysis selected, reference lines or templates are drawn using the identified landmarks. Soft tissues can be drawn either freehand or using the 'soft tissue detection' that generates an outline from the grey-level histogram. The program has been implemented at the Royal Dental College and at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and at the Cleft Palate Centre, Aarhus University Hospital. Conclusion: A program (PorDiosW) has been developed which has facilitated cephalometric analysis from digital lateral and frontal skull radiographs and digital photographs. The program has been successfully applied in patients with cleft lip and palate and other developmental craniofacial anomalies before and after surgery.