The role of the dentist and the orthodontist in early diagnosis of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome: a cephalometric and photometric study

Authors

  • MC Meazzini DMD, MMSc, Regional Centre for Cleft lip and Palate, Orthodontic Service, Department of Maxillo Facial Surgery, Santi Paolo and Carlo Hospital, Milan
  • LP Demonte DDS, Regional Centre for Cleft lip and Palate, Orthodontic Service, Department of Maxillo Facial Surgery, Santi Paolo and Carlo Hospital, Milan - Department of Orthodontics, Vita e Salute University, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan
  • L Conti DDS, Regional Centre for Cleft lip and Palate, Orthodontic Service, Department of Maxillo Facial Surgery, Santi Paolo and Carlo Hospital, Milan
  • L Autelitano MD, Regional Centre for Cleft lip and Palate, Department of Maxillo Facial Surgery, Santi Paolo and Carlo Hospital, Milan
  • N Cohen DDS, Regional Centre for Cleft lip and Palate, Orthodontic Service, Department of Maxillo Facial Surgery, Santi Paolo and Carlo Hospital, Milan
  • F Mazzoleni MD, Department of Maxillo Facial Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2023.24.02.03

Keywords:

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, Cephalometric analysis, Photometric analysis, Craniofacial morphology, Keratocyst, basal cell carcinoma

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the facial characteristics and the craniofacial morphology in GGS patients in order to enable an early diagnosis. BACKGROUND: Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GGS) is a autosomic dominant disease, characterised by basal cell carcinoma, palmar/plantar pits, maxillary and mandibular keratocysts and dental abnormalities. METHODS: Nine out of a sample of 24 GGS patients had complete cephalometric and photographic records at an average age of 8.7 years. Cephalometric and photometric analysis were carried out with standard analyses and compared with healthy patients matched for sex and age. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of GGS based on clinical features could be useful to identify the presence of keratocysts through x-ray examination proceeding with surgical removal at an early stage, limiting space occupying damages.