title: Comparison of pharyngeal airway volume among different vertical skeletal patterns: a cone-beam computed tomography study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the null hypothesis that there are no significant differences in pharyngeal airway volumes among adult patients with different vertical skeletal patterns and a clinically normal sagittal skeletal pattern using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample consisted of 100 adult patients (45 men and 55 women; mean age  =  24.0 ± 5.3 years) with a normal sagittal skeletal pattern divided into three groups according to the vertical skeletal patterns: high angle (32 patients: 15 women and 17 men), low angle (34 patients: 14 women and 20 men), and normal angle (34 patients: 16 women and 18 men) groups. Nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and total airway volumes of patients in all vertical groups were calculated. Group differences were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nasopharyngeal airway volume in the high-angle group (mean  =  6067.9 ± 1693.9 mm(3)) was significantly lower than that of the low- and normal-angle groups (P < .01). Oropharyngeal airway volume was highest in the low-angle group (mean  =  15,957.6 ± 6817.2 mm(3)) and significantly decreased in the control (mean  =  11,826.1 ± 4831.9 mm(3); P  =  .008) and high angle (mean  =  10,869.1 ± 4084.1 mm(3); P  =  .001) groups. Total airway volume was highest in the low-angle group (mean  =  24,261.6 ± 8470.1 mm(3)) and lowest in the high-angle group (mean  =  16,937.0 ± 5027.4 mm(3); P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The null hypothesis was rejected. Significant differences were found in pharyngeal airway volumes among different skeletal vertical patterns.
authors.affiliation: a  Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mevlut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Celikoglu
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayram
authors.forename: Ahmet E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Sekerci
authors.forename: Suleyman K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Buyuk
authors.forename: Ebubekir
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Toy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009929:Organ Size; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014716:Vertical Dimension; D055815:Young Adult; D015050:Zygoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography; Pharyngeal airway; Vertical skeletal pattern