eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Reconstructive Surgery

Microstomia: Workup

Author: David Darrow, MD, DDS, Associate Professor, Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatrics, Eastern Virginia Medical School
Coauthor(s): Jamie Eaglin, BS, Eastern Virginia Medical School; Jeffrey D Carron, MD, Assistant Professor, Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Feb 23, 2007

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • No specific laboratory studies, imaging, or diagnostic procedures are required in the evaluation of microstomia. However, any systemic abnormalities that result from the underlying cause of the microstomia may affect the patient's ability to heal from the inciting event or to undergo anesthesia and surgery; thus, such systemic abnormalities should be sought. For example, patients with electrical burns should undergo an ECG because myocardial injuries, conduction abnormalities, or both are possible and must be promptly diagnosed. Computerized tomography or radiography of the chest may be useful in patients with scleroderma for determining the presence of pulmonary fibrosis. Endoscopic evaluation of the airway should be considered in patients with microstomia due to epidermolysis bullosa.

Other Tests

  • ECG is appropriate in cases of electrical burns because myocardial injuries, conduction abnormalities, or both are possible and must be promptly diagnosed.

More on Microstomia

Overview: Microstomia
Workup: Microstomia
Treatment: Microstomia
Follow-up: Microstomia
Multimedia: Microstomia
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

microstomia, small mouth, CREST syndrome, calcinosis cutis, Raynaud phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility disorder, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia syndrome, orofacial burns, Freeman-Sheldon syndrome, craniofacial dysplasia, whistling baby syndrome, Hallermann-Streiff syndrome, oro-palatal dysplasia, Fine-Lubinsky syndrome, hemifacial microstomia, small oral opening, diffuse facial scleroderma

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

David Darrow, MD, DDS, Associate Professor, Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatrics, Eastern Virginia Medical School
David Darrow, MD, DDS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Bronchoesophagological Association, American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Jamie Eaglin, BS, Eastern Virginia Medical School
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey D Carron, MD, Assistant Professor, Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jeffrey D Carron, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Hassan H Ramadan, MD, MSc, Professor and Vice-Chair, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University
Hassan H Ramadan, MD, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Rhinologic Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Gregory C Allen, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Gregory C Allen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, American College of Surgeons, American Laryngological Rhinological and Otological Society, American Medical Association, Christian Medical & Dental Society, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Christopher L Slack, MD, Otolaryngology-Facial Plastic Surgery, Private Practice, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders
Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society
Disclosure: Advanced Headache Intervention Consulting fee Consulting; Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting

 
 
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