IADR Abstract Archives
Accuracy of Measuring Airway Volume Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Objectives: Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has been used tremendously in measuring airway volume and as a supplementary diagnostic method for sleep apnea. CBCT has showed promising results in measuring hard tissue, however upper airway is a muscular collapsible tube surrounded by movable soft tissue and maintained by air pressure and muscular tension. Accuracy of examining soft tissue using CBCT should be assist to validate any findings.The aim of this study is to measure the accuracy of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in measuring the airway volume at different time intervals for the same subject.
Methods: 46 DICOM files of 23 subjects were obtained from an orthodontic clinic (Female= 17, Male= 6). The mean age of the subjects were 16.5 ± 6 years and they had a Class I molar relationship with no history of orthognathic surgery or mandibular advancements. Each subject had two CBCTs taken at different time frames (Groups 1= T1, Group 2= T2). Airway volume was measured including nasopharynx and oropharynx using InVivoDental 5.2.4 (San Jose, Ca). A line parallel to the mid-sagittal was drawn through Vallecular. Airway was bounded superior by the most superior posterior point of the superior meatus, inferiorly by the inferior border was Valecullar line, anteriorly by the anterior border was the anterior border of the pharynx and posteriorly by the posterior border of the pharynx.
Results: Average airway volume in T1 was 20.15±8.4 cc3 and minimum airway constriction of 129.53±72.36 mm2. Average airway volume in T2 was 23.36957±10.1 cc3 and minimum airway constriction of 117.76±64.99 mm2. No significant difference was found in airway volume and minimum airway diameter between both time frames (p < 0.05). An excellent Cronbach’s Alpha was reported for measuring the airway volume, however airway constriction fall under poor.
Conclusions: Cone Beam Computed Tomography is an accurate method to evaluate airway volume.
Methods: 46 DICOM files of 23 subjects were obtained from an orthodontic clinic (Female= 17, Male= 6). The mean age of the subjects were 16.5 ± 6 years and they had a Class I molar relationship with no history of orthognathic surgery or mandibular advancements. Each subject had two CBCTs taken at different time frames (Groups 1= T1, Group 2= T2). Airway volume was measured including nasopharynx and oropharynx using InVivoDental 5.2.4 (San Jose, Ca). A line parallel to the mid-sagittal was drawn through Vallecular. Airway was bounded superior by the most superior posterior point of the superior meatus, inferiorly by the inferior border was Valecullar line, anteriorly by the anterior border was the anterior border of the pharynx and posteriorly by the posterior border of the pharynx.
Results: Average airway volume in T1 was 20.15±8.4 cc3 and minimum airway constriction of 129.53±72.36 mm2. Average airway volume in T2 was 23.36957±10.1 cc3 and minimum airway constriction of 117.76±64.99 mm2. No significant difference was found in airway volume and minimum airway diameter between both time frames (p < 0.05). An excellent Cronbach’s Alpha was reported for measuring the airway volume, however airway constriction fall under poor.
Conclusions: Cone Beam Computed Tomography is an accurate method to evaluate airway volume.