Airway volume analysis: is there a correlation between two and three-dimensions?

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is increasingly used for airway analysis.
• Standardized methods for assessing airway dimensions from CBCT scans are lacking.
• Two-dimensional (2D) cephalometric analysis remains a common practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate linear and area measurements in 2D views of airway regions.
• To compare these 2D measurements with corresponding airway volumes from CBCT scans.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 250 CBCT scans.
• Measurements of linear, area, and volume in nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and oropharynx.
• Utilized Dolphin Software for analysis.
• Pearson correlation coefficient for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• Highest positive correlations found between nasopharynx/oropharynx sagittal areas and constricted oropharyngeal area with total volume.
• Nasopharynx linear and coronal area measurements did not correlate with overall volume.
• 2D measurements of the soft palate showed very low correlations.
• Oropharyngeal variations contributed more to total volume changes than nasal cavity or nasopharynx.

Conclusions:

• Sagittal airway areas and the most constricted oropharyngeal axial area are useful 2D correlates for airway volume.
• 2D measurements can provide valuable insights into airway dimensions from CBCT data.