title: Three-dimensional airways volumetric analysis before and after fast and early mandibular osteodistraction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Newborns with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) and syndromic micrognathia show microgenia and glossoptosis, which cause reduction of the airway and breathing difficulty from birth. Our goal is to analyze quantitative and qualitative volumetric changes before and after fast and early mandibular osteodistraction (FEMOD) and to compare radiological data.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample was composed of 4 patients, who satisfied inclusion criteria for completeness of data. Computed tomography pre- and post-operation were performed, then a volumetric assessment was made with Dolphin Imaging. Polysomnography was performed before and after FEMOD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pre- and post-operative CT scan data were compared. The analysis of all three sections showed a significant increase of volumetric parameters. The retroglossal volume average increase was 346%, and the retropalatal volume average increase was 169%. These data matched the improvement recorded by polysomnography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data confirm FEMOD as an efficient treatment to improve airways and breathing problem in patients affected by Pierre Robin sequence and syndromic micrognathia. The three-dimensional volume rendering could be a useful method to evaluate and quantify the increase in airways volume.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche e Maxillo Facciale (Head: Prof. Ersilia Barbato), "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramieri
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche e Maxillo Facciale (Head: Prof. Ersilia Barbato), "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Italy. Electronic address: emanuela.basile1985@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Basile
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche e Maxillo Facciale (Head: Prof. Ersilia Barbato), "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bosco
authors.affiliation: Dipartmento di P.I.C.U., "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Caresta
authors.affiliation: Dipartmento di P.I.C.U., "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papoff
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche e Maxillo Facciale (Head: Prof. Ersilia Barbato), "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cascone
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D065710:Glossoptosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007830:Larynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008844:Micrognathism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D010855:Pierre Robin Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013577:Syndrome; D014132:Trachea / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: Airways; Mandibular osteodistraction; Pierre Robin sequence; Syndromic micrognathia