title: The relationship between upper airways and craniofacial morphology studied in 3D. A CBCT study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether morphology and dimension of the upper airway differ between patients characterized by various craniofacial morphology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety young adult patients from the Postgraduate Clinic, Section of Orthodontics, Department of Dentistry, Health, Aarhus University, Denmark, with no obvious signs of respiratory diseases and no previous adeno-tonsillectomy procedures. Thirty patients were characterized as Class I (-0.5 < ANB < 4.5), 30 as Class II (ANB > 4.5), and 30 as Class III (ANB < -0.5).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans obtained in a supine position for all patients. Cephalometric landmarks were identified in 3D. Sagittal and transversal dimensions, cross sections, and partial and total volumes of the upper airway were correlated with the cephalometric measurements in all three planes of space. The cross-sectional minimal area of the upper airway was assessed as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistical significant relationships between dimension and morphology of upper airways and skeletal malocclusion were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differences in craniofacial morphology as identified by the sagittal jaw relationship were not correlated with variation in upper airway volumes. A clinical significant relation was detected between minimal area and total upper airway volume.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Science, Pediatric Dentistry Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; Section of Orthodontics, Department of Dentistry, Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Carlo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polimeni
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Melsen
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Cattaneo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008311:Malocclusion, Angle Class I / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010159:Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016683:Supine Position; D055815:Young Adult; D015050:Zygoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography; Orthodontics; Pharynx; Upper airway