Volumetric analysis of the buccal fat pad

There is still insufficient knowledge about the anatomical features of the buccal fat pad as well as its behavior in various clinical conditions. The aim of this study was to elucidate some of the anatomical features of the b uccal fat pad using volumetric analysis. The volumes of the buccal fat pads were measured bilaterally in 106 individuals based on their 3-D CT scan im ages. There were five study groups. Twenty-eight individuals of various age groups were the controls while patients with congenital unilateral cleft ( n=39), facial trauma (n=25), temporomandibular joint disease (n=7) and fibr ous dysplasia (n=7) formed the groups with pathological conditions. Assessm ent of volume differences was performed between each side of the same indiv idual, between males and females, and between the various age groups. Compa rison of the pathologies with controls was done when necessary. The volume did not significantly differ between both sides of the same individual both in the control group, in the unilateral cleft group and in the fibrous dys plasia group (p>0.05), and between male and female, whereas significant dif ferences appeared between the volumes of the both sides in trauma patients. The general volume of the buccal fat pad appeared to increase with growth. It appeared from this study that the buccal fat pad can be affected by cli nical conditions and this fact should be kept in mind when planning its sur gical use.