title: [Craniofacial morphology and obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome: a craniometric comparative analysis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to define the relationship between paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and craniofacial morphovolumetric features through comparative craniometric analyses between affected children and controls based on conventional cephalometry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cephalometric examinations of 40 children affected by OSAHS were retrospectively evaluated. Sixteen craniometric landmarks were identified, and 27 linear and angular indices related to craniofacial morphovolumetric features were measured. Subsequently, the same process of identifying landmarks and measuring indices was performed on the cephalometric examinations of 40 controls. For each index, we then calculated in both groups the mean, standard deviation, standard error and p value. By comparing the values obtained in the two series, we calculated the degree of significance of each difference between children with OSAHS and controls using the Student t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Differences of only 5/27 linear and angular indices considered were not statistically significant between groups, thus confirming susceptibility to the disorder in relation to certain splanchnocranic morphovolumetric features. The most significant differences involved mandibular plane inclination and distance between landmark sella and hyoid bone, a reliable index being the vertical position of the latter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the limitations associated with the 2D nature of conventional cephalometry, mainly related to projection and identification errors, and despite the upright position during examination, we consider the diagnostic value and information content of this technique high, thus reaffirming its role as a first-line imaging investigation in children with sleep-related breathing disorders.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Odontoiatria, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via De Crecchio 6, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perillo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cappabianca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montemarano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cristallo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Negro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basile
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iaselli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rotondo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology*