title: Three-dimensional evaluation of upper airway in patients with different anteroposterior skeletal patterns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate variability in the upper airway of subjects with different anteroposterior skeletal patterns by evaluating the volume and the most constricted cross-sectional area of the pharyngeal airway and defining correlations between the different variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample consisted of 60 patients (29 boys, 31 girls) divided into three groups: Class I (1 ≤ ANB ≤ 3), Class II (ANB>3), and Class III (ANB<1), to evaluate how the jaw relationship affects the airway volume and the most constricted cross-sectional area (Min-CSA). Differences between groups were determined using the Tukey-Kramer test. Correlations between variables were tested using Pearson's correlation coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The volume and the Min-CSA of the pharyngeal airway (PA) were significantly related to anteroposterior skeletal patterns (p < 0.05). The nasopharyngeal airway (NA) volume of Class I and Class III subjects was significantly larger than that of Class II subjects (p < 0.05). The Min-CSA and the length of PA were significantly related to the volume of PA (p < 0.05). The site and the size of the Min-CSA varied among the three groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The volume and the most constricted cross-sectional area of the airway varied with different anteroposterior skeletal patterns. The NA volume of Class I and Class III subjects was significantly larger than that of patients with a Class II skeletal pattern.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Z H
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008311:Malocclusion, Angle Class I / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009929:Organ Size; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: cephalometry; cone-beam CT; measurement; tomography; upper airway