Prenatal MRI plays an essential role in the evaluation of the head and neck. This article overviews technical considerations and both isolated and syndromic anomalies of the fetal calvarium, globes and orbits, ears, maxilla, mandible, and neck.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of magnetic therapy on the formation of distraction regenerate of the lower jaw in patients with lower micrognathia.
METHODS: The study comprised 159 patients with inferior micrognathia of congenital and acquired etiology. The patients were divided into 2 groups. The main group consisted of 112 patients who received magnetic therapy: 55 patients with congenital micrognathia and 57 patients with acquired micrognathia. The control group included 47 patients who did not undergo magnetic therapy: 20 patients with congenital micrognathia and 27 patients with acquired micrognathia. Magnetic therapy was performed daily starting from day 1 or 2 after surgery. Ultrasound monitoring began on the 7th day of distraction and was carried out every 3-4 days, which made it possible to assess the dynamics of the formation of the distraction regenerate.
RESULTS: Ultrasound examination on the 7th day of distraction revealed that in the main group the number of distraction regenerates of the normotrophic type was 36.5%, hypotrophic type 18%, hypertrophic type 54.5%. In the control group, the corresponding rates were 53%, 31% and 22%.
CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic therapy induces osteogenesis and accelerates the maturation of the distraction regenerate. This makes it possible to accelerate the pace of distraction without reducing the quality of the regenerate.
UNASSIGNED: Изучение влияния магнитотерапии на формирование дистракционного регенерата нижней челюсти у пациентов с нижней микрогнатией.
UNASSIGNED: В исследование вошли 159 пациентов с нижней микрогнатией врожденной и приобретенной этиологии. Пациенты были разделены на 2 группы. Основную группу составили 112 пациентов, получавших магнитотерапию: 55 пациентов с врожденной и 57 — с приобретенной микрогнатией. Контрольную группу составили 47 пациентов, не получавшие магнитотерапию: 20 пациентов с врожденной и 27 — с приобретенной микрогнатией. Начиная с первых—вторых суток после операции пациентам ежедневно проводилась магнитотерапия. Ультразвуковой контроль начинался с 7-х суток дистракции и осуществлялся каждые 3—4 дня, что позволило оценить динамику формирования дистракционного регенерата.
UNASSIGNED: При ультразвуковом исследовании на 7-е сутки дистракции выявлено, что в основной группе количество дистракционных регенератов нормотрофического типа составило 36,5%, гипотрофического типа — 18%, гипертрофического — 54,5%. В контрольной группе эти показатели составили 53, 31 и 22%, соответственно.
UNASSIGNED: Магнитотерапия индуцирует остеогенез и ускоряет созревание дистракционного регенерата. Это дает возможность ускорять темп дистракции без снижения качества регенерата.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common congenital anomalies and are the result of incomplete fusion of embryonic craniofacial processes or palatal shelves, respectively. We know that genetics play a large role in these anomalies but the list of known causal genes is far from complete. As part of a larger sequencing effort of patients with micrognathia and cleft palate we identified a candidate variant in transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 (TGFBR2) which is rare, changing a highly conserved amino acid, and predicted to be pathogenic by a number of metrics. The family history and population genetics would suggest this specific variant would be incompletely penetrant, but this gene has been convincingly implicated in craniofacial development. In order to test the hypothesis this might be a causal variant, we used genome editing to create the orthologous variant in a new mouse model. Surprisingly, Tgfbr2V387M mice did not exhibit craniofacial anomalies or have reduced survival suggesting this is, in fact, not a causal variant for cleft palate/ micrognathia. The discrepancy between in silico predictions and mouse phenotypes highlights the complexity of translating human genetic findings to mouse models. We expect these findings will aid in interpretation of future variants seen in TGFBR2 from ongoing sequencing of patients with congenital craniofacial anomalies.

Obstructive sleep apnea in newborns and infants presents a unique challenge with distinct differences in sleep physiology, etiologies, and management compared to older children. The indications for and interpretation of polysomnography are less well defined in infants. There are also no broadly accepted clinical practice guidelines for treating sleep apnea in this age group. Etiologies include general causes of upper airway obstruction in infants such as laryngomalacia, micrognathia, and nasal obstruction in addition to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Treatment strategies must be tailored to the specific anatomic features and comorbidities of the specific patients and often require a multidisciplinary approach.

Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS), a rare congenital disorder, is a triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and tongue based airway obstruction (TBSO). It may occur as isolated anomaly (iPRS) or as a part of a syndrome (sPRS), like that seen in association with Stickler Syndrome. Approximately 20% of children with PRS have congenital heart diseases. To the best of our knowledge this case of a one-day old infant is the first one to be reported as having two heart defects; patent ductus arteriosus and patent foramen ovale in Pierre Robbin Sequence child.

Edwards syndrome, also known as trisomy 18, is a rare chromosomal disorder associated with multiple congenital anomalies and high morbidity. This report presents the case of a three-month-old female infant diagnosed with Edwards syndrome, presenting classic phenotypic features, including low-set ears, micrognathia, and a rocker bottom foot. The infant\'s condition was further complicated by cardiac abnormalities and respiratory distress, necessitating a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach involving pediatricians, cardiologists, and orthopedic specialists. The diagnostic journey involved addressing challenges related to respiratory distress syndrome, bronchiolitis, and cardiac complications. The management approach underscored the significance of individualized care tailored to the patient\'s unique needs. Genetic counseling played a pivotal role in providing essential support to the family facing the complexities associated with Edwards syndrome. This case report highlights the intricacies of Edwards syndrome and contributes to the ongoing discourse on refining clinical strategies for enhanced care and compassionate support. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for further research to advance our understanding of this condition and guide future interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the prognosis of fetuses diagnosed with micrognathia using prenatal ultrasound screening.
METHODS: Between January 2019 and December 2022, a normal range of IFA to evaluate the facial profile in fetuses with micrognathia in a Chinese population between 11 and 20 gestational weeks was established, and the pregnancy outcomes of fetal micrognathia were described. The medical records of these pregnancies were collected, including family history, maternal demographics, sonographic findings, genetic testing results, and pregnancy outcomes.
RESULTS: Ultrasound identified 25 patients with fetal micrognathia, with a mean IFA value of 43.6°. All cases of isolated fetal micrognathia in the initial scans were non-isolated in the following scans. A total of 78.9% (15/19) cases had a genetic cause confirmed, including 12 with chromosomal abnormalities and 3 with monogenic disorders. Monogenic disorders were all known causes of micrognathia, including two cases of campomelic dysplasia affected by SOX9 mutations and one case of mandibulofacial dysostosis with an EFTUD2 mutation. In the end, 19 cases were terminated, 1 live birth was diagnosed as Pierre Robin syndrome, and 5 cases were lost to follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: IFA is a useful indicator and three-dimensional ultrasound is a significant support technique for fetal micrognathia prenatal diagnosis. Repeat ultrasound monitoring and genetic testing are crucial, with CMA recommended and Whole exome sequencing performed when normal arrays are reported. Isolated fetal micrognathia may be an early manifestation of monogenic disorders.

BACKGROUND: We investigated how syndromic versus nonsyndromic forms of micrognathia impacted difficult intubation outcomes in children. Primary outcome was the first-attempt success rate of tracheal intubation, secondary outcomes were number of intubation attempts and complications. We hypothesized that syndromic micrognathia would be associated with lower first-attempt success rate.
METHODS: In micrognathic patients enrolled in the Pediatric Difficult Intubation Registry (08/2012-03/2019) we retrospectively compared demographic and clinical characteristics between children with nonsyndromic and syndromic micrognathia using standardized mean differences (SMD) and assessed the association of the presence of syndrome with the primary and secondary outcomes using propensity score matching analysis with and without matching for airway assessment findings.
RESULTS: Nonsyndromic patients (628) were less likely to have additional airway abnormalities. Syndromic patients (216) were less likely to have unanticipated difficult intubation (2% vs. 20%, SMD 0.59). First-attempt success rates of intubation were: 38% in the syndromic versus 34% in the nonsyndromic group (odds ratio [OR] 1.18; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] 0.74, 1.89; p = .478), and 37% versus 37% (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.66, 1.48; p = .959). Median number of intubation attempts were 2 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1, 3; range: 1, 8) versus 2 (IQR: 1, 3; range 1, 12) (median regression coefficient = 0; 95% CI: -0.7, 0.7; p = .999) and 2 (IQR: 1, 3; range: 1, 12) versus 2 (IQR: 1, 3; range 1, 8) (median regression coefficient = 0; 95% CI: -0.5, 0.5; p = .999). Complication rates were 14% versus 22% (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.34, 1.04; p = .07) and 16% versus 21% (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.43, 1.17; p = .185).
CONCLUSIONS: Presence of syndrome was not associated with lower first-attempt success rate on intubation, number of intubation attempts, or complication rate among micrognathic patients difficult to intubate, despite more associated craniofacial abnormalities. Nonsyndromic patients were more likely to have unanticipated difficult intubations, first attempt with direct laryngoscopy.

The Robin sequence is a congenital anomaly characterized by a triad of features: micrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction. This comprehensive historical review maps the evolution of approaches and appliances for its treatment from the past to the current modern possibilities of an interdisciplinary combination of modern engineering, medicine, materials, and computer science combined approach with emphasis on designing appliances inspired by nature and individual human anatomy. Current biomimetic designs are clinically applied, resulting in appliances that are more efficient, comfortable, sustainable, and safer than legacy traditional designs. This review maps the treatment modalities that have been used for patients with a Robin sequence over the years. Early management of the Robin sequence focused primarily on airway maintenance and feeding support, while current management strategies involve both nonsurgical and surgical interventions and biomimetic biocompatible personalized appliances. The goal of this paper was to provide a review of the evolution of management strategies for patients with the Robin sequence that led to the current interdisciplinary biomimetic approaches impacting the future of Robin Sequence treatment with biomimetics at the forefront.

A method for diagnosing, planning and surgical treatment of patients with micrognathia of the mandible with physiological occlusion is proposed, which makes it possible to objectively assess the severity of the anomaly and concomitant functional disorders of external respiration in the nasopharynx and oropharynx, as well as to identify the pathophysiological mechanisms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and develop an optimal surgical treatment plan with high functional and aesthetic results.
Предложен метод диагностики, планирования и хирургического лечения пациентов с микрогнатией нижней челюсти при физиологической окклюзии, позволяющий объективно оценить степень выраженности аномалии и сопутствующих функциональных нарушений внешнего дыхания в области носо- и ротоглотки, а также выявить патофизиологические механизмы синдрома обструктивного апноэ во сне (СОАС) и разработать оптимальный план хирургического лечения с высокими функциональными и эстетическими результатами.