Novel 3-D video for quantification of facial movement

Facial paralysis is a devastating condition that affects a patient's ability to express emotions and has numerous esthetic as well as functional consequences.

To date, there is no one significant method of objectively measuring how much facial function one has.

A new three-dimensional real-time video acquisition system (3D VAS) has been developed that allows the measurement of absolute motion of both geometric shapes and positions of deformable objects in real time. In a new study to be presented at the 2007 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, researchers evaluated the new 3-D technology for potential accuracy in measurement of movement in the face in a group of normal subjects, as well as in patients with facial paralysis.

Researchers found that the new technology can accurately quantify facial movement in healthy subjects, which gives great hope that the method can be used in patients with facial paralysis.