The evaluation of radiographs of the nasopharynx

Radiographs of the nasopharynx are sometimes misinterpreted because of poor technical quality. A simple method of interpretation is suggested based upon measuring the airway immediately behind the upper part of the soft palate. If it is narrower than the width of the soft palate it is considered as markedly obstructed. When narrower than half of the soft palate, it is severely obstructed. When it is the same width as the soft palate, it is not narrowed. One hundred and forty radiographs were evaluated by this method and by previously described methods. All methods showed good correlation and the present method is easy to use and easy to teach and has proven to be useful even in radiographs which other methods fail to interpret. The importance of evaluating the airway instead of the adenoidal thickness is stressed.