The effect of altered head and tongue posture on upper airway volume based on a validated upper airway analysis-An MRI pilot study.

Objective: To determine the influence of altered head or tongue posture on upper airway (UA) volumes using MRI imaging based on a new objective and validated UA evaluation protocol.

Setting And Sample Population: One supine CBCT and five sagittal MRI scans were obtained from ten subjects in different head and tongue positions: (a) supine neutral head position (NHP) with the tongue in a natural resting position with the tip of the tongue in contact with the lingual aspect of the lower incisors (TRP); (b) head extension with TRP; (c) head flexion with TRP; (d) NHP with the tip of the tongue in contact with the posterior edge of the hard palate (THP); and (e) NHP with the tip of the tongue in contact with the floor of the mouth in contact with the caruncula sublingualis.

Material And Methods: Based on a validated CBCT UA analysis, the retropalatal, oropharyngeal and the corresponding total volumes were measured from each MRI scan.

Two-Year Postoperative Upper Airway Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Outcomes Based on a Verified Upper Airway Analysis Following Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery.

Purpose: Upper airway (UA) assessment after orthognathic surgery should rely on a verified method of UA analysis. Therefore, the authors applied a new validated UA evaluation method to determine the effect of bimaxillary surgery (BMS) on UA parameters and hyoid bone and epiglottis displacement evaluated immediately and 2 years after surgery.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort study was implemented of patients without obstructive sleep apnea who had undergone BMS for maxillomandibular deficiencies.

A new simple three-dimensional method to characterize upper airway in orthognathic surgery patient.

Objectives: To develop and validate a new reproducible 3D upper airway analysis based on skeletal structures not involved in the modification, which occur during orthognathic surgery.

Methods: From retrospective cohort of orthognathic surgically treated patients, pre- and postsurgical CBCT-scans of 10 post-pubertal patients were randomly selected. Two operators identified the landmarks, calculated the airway volumes, cross sections and linear measurements on the 10 scans twice at two different time intervals.

Effect of Head and Tongue Posture on the Pharyngeal Airway Dimensions and Morphology in Three-Dimensional Imaging: a Systematic Review.

Objectives: Natural head position is recommended to be optimal at cone-beam computed tomography acquisition. For standardization purposes in control of treatment outcome, it is clinically relevant to discuss, if a change of posture from natural head position may have an effect on the pharyngeal airway dimensions and morphology, during computed tomography, cone-beam computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging acquisition. This was the aim of the present literature review study for purposes of valid evidence, which was hypothesized, to be present.