title: Cone beam computed tomography: an innovative tool for airway assessment.
abstract: Improvements in airway imaging technology provide the potential for an improved understanding of airway pathology and upper airway mechanics. We present here a preliminary report on the applicability of cone beam computed tomography technology in conjunction with multidimensional digital analysis for the purposes of clinical airway management. The use of this technology for airway imaging in anesthesiology has not been reported. Traditional skeletal and soft tissue images as well as distance and volume measurements were obtained without difficulty. Three-dimensional image reconstructions as well as "virtual laryngoscopy" were achieved with resulting excellent image quality, suggesting a broad range of possibilities for upper airway examination and analysis. A modified Muller test with volumetric rendering of the airway passages under baseline and negative pressure conditions was also performed, made possible as a result of the system's short (9 s) scanning times. We believe that cone beam computed tomography technology offers an additional dimension to airway evaluation that has considerable potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Anesthesiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Osorio
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perilla
authors.forename: D John
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: J Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Palomo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000379:methods*; D000886:Anthropometry; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014059:Tongue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014584:User-Computer Interface