[Evaluation of upper airway dimension among adolescent patients with different sagittal skeletal patterns by...

To analyze whether upper airway dimensions were influenced by different sagittal skeletal pattern among adolescent patients.

Seventy-five adolescent patients were divided into 3 groups based on their ANB angles．The three groups were matched for age and sex． All subjects had a normodivergent skeletal pattern．Airway lengths, cross-sectional measurements and volumes were measured by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) volume scans, and two-dimensional lateral cephalograms were created and analyzed. Airway lengths, cross-sectional measurements and volumes were compared among 3 groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 software package.

No significant difference among the three groups was found in Anp, Lnp, Lvp, Lgp and Lhp cross-sectional areas of the airway. The glossopharynx volume was smaller in Class II[(2.34±0.79)mL] than in Class Ⅲ[(3.18±0.63)mL] patients(P<0.05). Total upper airway volume in Class II[(13.89±2.51)mL] patients was smaller than in Class Ⅰ[(16.48±4.41)mL] and Ⅲ[(17.47±3.55)mL] patients(P<0.05).

Upper airway volume is significantly reduced in Class II sagittal skeletal pattern, leading to a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.