Cephalometric Evaluation of the Upper Airway in Different Skeletal Classifications of Jaws. J Craniofac Surg. 2019;30:e469-e474. [PMID: 31299819 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000005637]

Three-Dimensional Assessment of Upper Airway Volume and Morphology in Patients with Different Sagittal Skeletal Patterns

BACKGROUND

The relationship between respiratory function and craniofacial morphology has garnered significant attention due to its implications for upper airway and stomatognathic development. Nasal breathing plays a key role in craniofacial growth and dental positioning. This study investigated upper airway morphology and volume differences among individuals with class I, II, and III skeletal anomalies.

METHODS

Ninety orthodontic patients' CBCT scans were analyzed to assess the oropharynx and hypopharynx volumes. Skeletal diagnosis was established based on the cephalometric analysis.

RESULTS

A significant volume change in the oropharynx and pharynx was demonstrated when comparing class II with class III anomalies (p = 0.0414, p = 0.0313). The total volume of the pharynx was increased in class III anomalies. The area of the narrowest part of the pharynx (MIN-CSA) significantly decreased in classes I and II compared to class III (p = 0.0289, p = 0.0003). Patients with Angle class III anomalies exhibited higher values in the narrowest pharyngeal segment. Gender differences were significant in pharyngeal volumes and morphologies across malocclusion classes.

CONCLUSIONS

The narrowest segment of the pharynx had the highest values in patients with Angle class III. The volume of the oropharynx was found to be greater in patients with Angle class III versus patients with Angle class II.

Impact of class II and class III skeletal malocclusion on pharyngeal airway dimensions: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Background

This study is a pioneer systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at comparing the influence of Class II and Class III skeletal malocclusions on pharyngeal airway dimensions. It stands as the inaugural comprehensive assessment to collate and analyze the disparate findings from previously published articles on this topic. The objective of this study was to identify published articles that compare the effects of class II and class III skeletal malocclusion on the pharyngeal airway dimensions.

Methods

An all-inclusive search for existing published studies was done to identify peer-reviewed scholarly articles that compared the influence of class II and class III skeletal malocclusion on pharyngeal airway dimensions. The search was done via five electronic databases: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Screening of the articles was done and the eligible studies were critically assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist.

Results

The initial search yielded 476 potential articles of which, nine were finally included in this study for a total of 866 patients. Three studies were of cross-sectional design and six were of retrospective study design. Following a critical analysis and review of the studies, class III skeletal malocclusion had significantly larger volume and area measurements compared to class II skeletal malocclusion.

Conclusion

Research in the field of literature has established that variations in skeletal classifications have a discernible effect on the size of the pharyngeal airways. With the advancement of skeletal malocclusions to a class III, there is an observed increase in both the volume and cross-sectional area of the airways.

Effect of SEC III protocol on upper airway dimensions in growing class III patients: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of SEC III (Splints, Class III Elastics, and Chin cup) protocol on the upper airway dimensions using lateral cephalometric radiographs. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the skeletal and dental effects of the SEC III protocol using lateral cephalometric radiographs.

METHODS

The pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs of 24 patients treated using the SEC III protocol were used to address the aim of the study. Children in the pre-pubertal (CS-1 or CS-2) or circumpubertal (CS-3 or CS-4) skeletal maturation stage and having class III dentoskeletal malocclusion were included in the study. Patients with a history of previous orthodontic treatment, maxillofacial surgery or trauma, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or craniofacial malformations were excluded. The pre-treatment and post-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs were traced, then airway measurements, skeletal measurements, and dental measurements were performed. The results were analysed using paired samples t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test according to the data normality.

RESULTS

Data of 6 males and 18 females were analysed (Mean age = 11.21 ± 1.02 years). Duration of active treatment was 5.75 ± 1.03 months. Treatment using SEC III protocol resulted in a significant increase in ANB angle (2.92 ± 1.50 degrees, p < 0.001) and Wits appraisal (3.31 ± 1.99 mm) (p < 0.001). The increase in the mandibular plane angle (0.75 ± 1.42 degrees, p = 0.02) and the maxillary length (2.29 ± 2.69 mm, p < 0.001) was statistically significant. Contrarily, the mandibular length did not change significantly (p = 0.10). The maxillary incisors were significantly proclined (4.38 ± 4.28 degrees; p < 0.001), while the mandibular incisors were significantly retroclined (-5.79 ± 6.21 degrees; p < 0.001) following treatment. The change in the nasopharyngeal airway and the retropalatal airway was not statistically significant. The middle and inferior pharyngeal space (retroglossal airway) significantly decreased by 1.33 ± 1.97 mm (p = 0.003) and 1.96 ± 2.48 mm (p = 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Early class III correction using SEC III protocol reduced the retroglossal airway dimensions but did not affect the nasopharyngeal and retropalatal airway dimensions. Correction of the class III dentoskeletal relationship was obtained through both skeletal and dental changes.

A comparative study of three-dimensional airway changes after fibula flap reconstruction for benign and malignant tumours in the anterior mandible

Surgical treatment of tumours in the anterior mandible and surrounding tissues may result in defects which can be restored by a fibula free flap. The upper airway may change during this process. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate upper airway changes after fibula free flap reconstruction. A total of 37 patients who underwent anterior mandibulectomy and fibula free flap reconstruction between 2012 and 2020 were recruited. Patients with benign and malignant tumours involving the anterior mandible were included. Spiral computed tomography was performed 1 week preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and at> 1 year (range 12-23 months) after surgery. Cross-sectional areas and volumes of the upper airway were measured. Data were analysed by two-way analysis of variance. The upper airway in the malignant tumour group showed an increasing trend, especially at the soft palate and tongue base levels (P < 0.01). In the benign tumour group, the upper airway showed no significant changes. The location of the minimum cross-sectional area moved downwards in both groups, and the area increased in the malignant tumour group during long-term follow-up. Upper airway obstruction is less likely to occur in the long term after surgical resection of anterior mandible malignancies and fibula free flap reconstruction.

Evaluation of pharyngeal airway and hyoid bone position in skeletal Class 1 individuals with different vertical growth patterns in Turkish population

Amaç: Bu araştırmada, iskeletsel Sınıf 1 ilişkiye sahip bireylerde dik yön büyüme paterninin farengeal havayolu boyutlarına ve hyoid kemik pozisyonuna etkisinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu retrospektif araştırmaya, ANB açısı temel alınarak iskeletsel Sınıf 1 ilişkiye sahip toplam 72 birey (36 kadın, 36 erkek; ortalama yaş: 17.78 ± 1.39 yıl) dahil edildi. Bireyler dik yön büyüme paternine göre; normodiverjan, hipodiverjan ve hiperdiverjan olmak üzere 3 gruba ayrıldı. Lateral sefalometrik radyografiler üzerinde farengeal havayolu ve hyoid kemik pozisyonu ölçümleri, 1 açısal ve 10 lineer ölçüm kullanılarak yapıldı. Verilerin analizinde bağımsız örneklem t-testi ve tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) kullanılarak grup içi ve gruplar arası farklılıklar değerlendirildi (p&lt;0.05). Bulgular: Verilerin grup içi karşılaştırmalarında farengeal havayolu boyutlarına ait ölçümlerin cinsiyetler arasında benzer olduğu (p˃0.05) ve tüm gruplarda hyoid kemiğin servikal vertebralara ve mandibular düzleme olan uzaklıklarının kızlarda anlamlı düzeyde daha az olduğu görüldü (p&lt;0.05). Normodiverjan, hipodiverjan ve hiperdiverjan bireylerin farengeal havayolu boyutları ve hyoid kemik pozisyonunda istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılıklar olmadığı belirlendi. Sonuç: Normodiverjan, hipodiverjan ve hiperdiverjan bireylerde farengeal havayolu boyutlarının ve hyoid kemik pozisyonlarının benzer olduğu görüldü. Bununla birlikte, tüm gruplarda erkeklerde hyoid kemiğinin kızlara göre daha aşağıda ve daha önde pozisyonlandığı belirlendi.

Three-dimensional evaluation of pharyngeal airway and maxillary arch in mouth and nasal breathing children with skeletal Class I and II

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate whether the subjects with mouth breathing (MB) or nasal breathing (NB) with different sagittal skeletal patterns showed different maxillary arch and pharyngeal airway characteristics.

METHODS

Cone-beam computed tomography scans from 70 children aged 10 to 12 years with sagittal skeletal Classes I and II were used to measure the pharyngeal airway, maxillary width, palatal area, and height. The independent t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for the intragroup analysis of pharyngeal airway and maxillary arch parameters.

RESULTS

In the Skeletal Class I group, nasopharyngeal airway volume (P < 0.01), oropharyngeal airway volume (OPV), and total pharyngeal airway volume (TPV) (all P < 0.001) were significantly greater in subjects with NB than in those with MB. Furthermore, intermolar width, maxillary width at the molars, intercanine width, maxillary width at the canines, and palatal area were significantly larger in subjects with NB than in those with MB (all P < 0.001). In the Skeletal Class II group, OPV, TPV (both P < 0.05) were significantly greater in subjects with NB than in those with MB. No significant differences in pharyngeal airway parameters in the MB group between subjects with Skeletal Class I and those with Skeletal Class II.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of sagittal Skeletal Class I or II, the pharyngeal airway and maxillary arch in children with MB differ from those with NB. However, the pharyngeal airway was not significantly different between Skeletal Class I and II in children with MB.

Sex-based differences in outcomes among surgically treated patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Sex differences in surgically treated HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma are not defined due to the low number of affected women. We explored the oncologic outcomes of men and women with p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carinoma treated with primary surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer treated with surgery and pathology guided adjuvant therapy from 2007 to 2017. Primary end point was recurrence-free and overall survival.

RESULTS

Of 468 men (86.7%) and 72 women (13.3%), women presented more often with clinical N0 nodal disease (25% vs 12.2%). There were no differences in adverse pathologic features or T stage, although women were more likely to present with N0 disease (16.7% vs 10%), less N2 disease (6.9% vs 17.7%, p = 0.03), and more stage I disease (88.9% vs 75%). As a result, women were more likely to undergo surgery alone (30.6% vs 14.1%) while men were more likely to require adjuvant radiation therapy (47.2% vs 36.1%). Four women (5.6%) and 30 men (6.4%, p = 0.8) died during follow-up. Multivariate analysis controlling for age, sex, treatment, and pathologic stage demonstrated no differences in overall survival between men and women. There were no differences in recurrence-free or overall survival between men and women at two and five years.

CONCLUSIONS

Although women undergoing transoral robotic surgery for HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma may have less advanced disease, upfront surgery with pathology-guided adjuvant therapy produces similar oncologic results in men and women while accounting for disease burden.

Cone beam computed tomographic evaluation of pharyngeal airway in North Indian children with different skeletal patterns

BACKGROUND

In growing patients with skeletal discrepancies, early assessment of functional factors can be vital for the restoration of normal craniofacial growth.

AIM

To compare airway volumes in patients with mandibular retrognathism with the normal anteroposterior skeletal relationship, thereby assessing the association between cephalometric variables and airway morphology.

METHODS

Cone-beam computed tomography volume scans, and lateral cephalograms, 3-dimensional airway volume and cross-sectional areas of 120 healthy children (54 boys and 66 girls mean age 15.19 ± 1.28) which were done for orthodontic assessment were evaluated. The subjects were divided into 2 groups based on the angle formed between point A, Nasion and point B (ANB) values and cephalometric variables (such as anterior and posterior facial height, gonial angle etc.) airway volumes, and cross-sectional measurements were compared using independent t tests. Pearson’s correlation coefficient test was used to detect any relationship of different parts of the airway and between airway volume and 2-dimensional cephalometric variables.

RESULTS

Means and standard deviations for cephalometric, cross-sectional, and volumetric variables were compared. ANB, mandibular body length and facial convexity were statistically highly significant (P < 0.01) whereas condylion to point A, nasal airway and total airway volume (P < 0.05) were statistically significant. The nasal airway volume and the superior pharyngeal airway volume had a positive correlation (P < 0.01), nasal airway was correlated to middle (P < 0.05) and total airway superior had a relation with middle (P < 0.05), inferior and total airway (P < 0.05), middle was related to all other airways; inferior was also related to all the airways except nasal. Lateral cephalometric values were positively correlated with the airway volume with Frankfurt Mandibular Plane Angle and facial convexity showed significant correlations with total airway volume (P < 0.05). Additionally, ANB angle was significantly correlated with total airway volume and superior airway (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The mean total airway volume in patients with retrognathic mandible was significantly smaller than that of patients with a normal mandible.

[Three-dimensional measurement analysis of midface morphology in Treacher Collins syndromes]

Objective

To three-dimensionally calculate the craniofacial parameters of midface of patients with Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) in China, in order to understand the changes in the spatial position relationship between the various anatomical structures of the midface.

Methods

CT imaging data of TCS patients and age- and gender-matched normal populations between January 2013 and July 2020 was retrospectively analyzed. A total of 33 cases met the selection criteria for inclusion in the study, including 14 cases in the TCS group and 19 cases in the control group. ProPlan CMF 3.0 software was used to perform three-dimensional digital reconstruction of the craniofacial bone, measure the anatomical parameters of the midface, and analyze its morphological structure; at the same time perform three-dimensional digital reconstruction of the upper airway for morphological analysis (measure upper airway volume).

Results

CT images analysis revealed that all 14 patients with TCS presented the typical features with downward slanting of the palpebral fissures and different degrees of zygomatico-orbital complex dysplasia. Cephalometric and morphological analysis of the midface revealed that, multiple transverse diameters of the midface of TCS patients were significantly decreased when compared with the control group ( P<0.05), such as the width of the maxillary base, the length of the maxillary complex, and some distances related to the nasal morphology; but the distance between bilateral orbitales increased in TCS group ( P<0.05). Several anteroposterior distances in TCS group were decreased significantly when compared to control group and the distance between the skull base point and the posterior nasal spine was the most shortened ( P<0.05). But there was no significant difference of the distance between nasion and anterior nasal spine, which represented anterior midface height, between groups ( P>0.05). The skull base angle and SNB angle (the angle between the sella point-nose root point-inferior alveolar seat point) of the TCS group both decreased when compared with the control group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in SNA angle (the angle between the sella point-nose root point-upper alveolar seat point) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The total volume of the upper airway was (24 621.07±8 476.63) mm ³ in the TCS group, which was significantly lower than that of the control group [(32 864.21±13 148.74) mm ³] ( t=2.185, P=0.037).

Conclusion

The transverse distances, anteroposterior distances, and multiple craniofacial angles measurement of TCS patients were significantly decreased when compared to the control group, presented with different degrees of zygomatico-orbital complex dysplasia, nasal and maxillary dysplasia, but there was no obvious restriction in face height development. Reduced internal diameters of the upper airway maybe responsible for the decreased upper airway volume of patients with TCS.

Comparing Pharyngeal Airway Dimensions and Hyoid Bone Position in the Subgroups of Skeletal Class III Malocclusions: A Cephalometric Study

Aim:

To examine pharyngeal airway dimensions and hyoid bone position according to the subgroups of Class III malocclusion.

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective study consisted of patients divided into three subgroups with skeletal Class III malocclusion. The study included a total of 151 individuals (61 females and 90 males). The authors divided individuals with skeletal Class III malocclusion into three subgroups: maxillary retrognathia, mandibular prognathia, and combined. The study’s cephalometric analysis used eight nasopharyngeal, seven oropharyngeal, two hypopharyngeal, nine hyoid, and four area measurements. One-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate patients. Tukey’s post-hoc tests were used for bilateral comparisons of significant parameters. The results were considered statistically significant at a P < .05 significance level.

Results:

The study found no significant differences between the groups’ pharyngeal airway and area measurements ( P > .05). When the authors evaluated hyoid bone position, a statistically significant difference was found between the three groups’ Hy-A (mm), Hy-S (mm), Hy-SN (mm), and Hy-FH (mm) measurements ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Linear and areal pharyngeal airway dimensions are similar in subgroups of Class III malocclusions, while the hyoid bone is vertically higher in individuals with maxillary retrognathia.

Craniofacial characteristics of Syrian adolescents with Class II division 1 malocclusion: a retrospective study

Background

Malocclusion characteristics vary across different ethnic groups and populations. Limited data are available regarding the characteristics of Syrian adolescents with Class II division 1 (Class II-1) malocclusion, and the recent inflow of Syrian refugees and immigrants into Europe and many areas worldwide demonstrate the need for updated studies to discover the craniofacial characteristics of these new immigrants.

Objectives

The present compound cephalometric and tooth-size study sought to assess the dentofacial morphology, upper-airway dimensions, and tooth-size characteristics of Syrian adolescents with Class II-1 malocclusion and compare the results with established Syrian population norms.

Materials and Methods

The study sample consisted of 43 Syrian patients including 24 females and 19 males with Class II-1 malocclusion (age: 14.3 (±1.5) years, mean (±SD)). Cephalometric radiographs and orthodontic casts were analyzed using special orthodontic software (OnyxCeph3^™) and a universal digital caliper, respectively. Statistics were calculated using the SPSS software.

Results

In Syrian adolescents with Class II-1 malocclusion, the position of the mandible relative to the nasion perpendicular (mean (95% confidence interval)) was −11.01 (−12.45, −9.57) mm. Facial axis angle showed a negative value: −6.25 (−7.65, −4.85) degrees. An obtuse nasolabial angle was observed: 104.05 (101.77, 106.33) degrees. The average width of the upper pharynx was 11.50 (10.53, 12.47) mm; however, there was no prevalence of an upper-pharyngeal width of 5 mm or less. The average value of the anterior tooth-size ratio was 80.69 (79.85, 81.53) percent. In total, 39.5% of the investigated subjects had anterior ratios outside two standard deviations from Bolton’s norm, while 25.6% of the investigated subjects had anterior ratios outside two standard deviations from Syrian population norm.

Conclusions

In this study, the inter-maxillary discrepancy of Class II-1 Syrian adolescents was a consequence of their hyperdivergent facial pattern. The observed small pharyngeal widths were not clinically significant, while the anterior tooth-size discrepancy might be clinically relevant.