Three-dimensional airway volumes and most constricted areas in children

poster abstractObjective: The objectives of this retrospective study using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were to determine if there are differences in the volume of various airway segments and the most constricted area (MCA) of children with different dentoskeletal patterns. Methods: The initial CBCTs of 83 orthodontic patients (30 Angle’s Class I; 26 Class II; and 27 Class III) were collected from a private orthodontic office. Following reliability studies, various parameters of the craniofacial complex, airway volume, and MCA were measured utilizing Dolphin 3D software. Comparisons among the three dental and the skeletal malocclusion classes were performed using one-way ANOVA and Fishers Protected Least Significant. Associations of the airway volumes and the MCA with other parameters were determined using correlation coefficients, accepting p < 0.05 as significant for all tests. Results: Maxillary right sinus volume was the only airway segment showing significant difference among different dental classes. Maxillary sinus volume also correlated moderately with anterior facial height and mandibular length. No significant differences were found between the MCA and different dentoskeletal classifications. Conclusions: The only significant difference in airway parameters among the dentoskeletal classes was that the dental Class II subjects had greater right sinus volume than the other classes. Shorter anterior facial height or mandibular length could be indicators for decreased airway volume in children. Funding: IUSD Graduate Research Committee, IUPUI Three-Dimensional Imaging of the Craniofacial Complex Center, Jarabak Endowed Professorshi

Mandibular Advancement Appliance Effects On Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Prospective Threedimensional Computed Tomography Study

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an elastic mandibular advancement (EMA) appliance on upper airway dimensions, most constricted area (MCA) of the airway, and snoring in a sample of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients of varying severity. Methods: Forty-seven male subjects were classified into two groups comprising12 controls and 35 suffering from OSA. The OSA group was further divided into three subgroups based on their apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI). All subjects completed an Epworth questionnaire and an overnight home sleep test before (T1) and at the end of the study (T2). OSA subjects were provided with a custom-made EMA appliance. Cone beam computed tomographic images were obtained for each subject at T1 and T2. Airway parameters were measured and summarised by grouping. The differences in the measurements T1 - T2 were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance (rmANOVA) and p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The use of the EMA produced a statistically significant increase in the nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, MCA, and total airway volume. Although sleep apnoea patients reported a reduction in snoring time, particularly in moderate and severe OSA groups, the level of improvement was not statistically significant. Patients with moderate and severe OSA demonstrated significant decreases in their AHI and Epworth scores. Conclusion: EMA is effective in reducing OSA severity and changing airway dimensions in OSA patients, specifically in the moderate and severe cases