title: MRI analysis of the size and shape of the oropharynx in chronic whiplash.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify differences in the size/shape of the oropharynx between female subjects with whiplash and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 113 subjects (79 whiplash, 34 controls) were included. T1-weighted MRI was used to measure 1) cross-sectional area (CSA [mm(2)]) and 2) shape ratios for the oropharynx. Reliability data were established.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Whiplash subjects had significantly smaller oropharynx CSAs (P < 0.001) and shape ratios (P < 0.001) compared with healthy controls. Self-reported levels of pain and disability and duration of symptoms were not associated with size and shape of the oropharynx in whiplash subjects (P = 0.75 and P = 0.99, respectively). Age and BMI did influence the size (P = 0.01) and shape of the oropharynx (P < 0.001) in the whiplash subjects, but only 20 to 30 percent of the variance could be explained by these factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant difference in the size and shape of the oropharynx was noted in subjects with chronic whiplash compared with controls. Future studies are required to investigate the relationships between oropharynx morphometry and symptoms in patients with chronic whiplash.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. jelltt@regis.edu
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cannata
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Demaris
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kummrow
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Manning
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Clifford
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Gwendolen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jull
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D009929:Organ Size; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*