Analysis of the middle region of the pharynx in adolescents with different anteroposterior craniofacial skeletal patterns.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the volume and morphology of the middle region of the pharynx (MRP) in adolescents with different anteroposterior craniofacial skeletal patterns. METHODS: One hundred twenty-six patients (56 male and 70 female), who had cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) within their records, were selected for this cross-sectional study. Participants were classified, according to their ANB angle value, in Class I (1o ≤ ANB ≤ 3o), Class II (ANB > 3o) and Class III (ANB < 1o). The total volume (tV), minimum axial area (AxMin) and morphology of the MRP and its subdivisions - velopharynx (VP) and oropharynx (OP) - were characterized by CBCT and 3-dimensional image reconstruction software. Intergroup comparisons were performed by ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests. Correlations between tV and Axmin with the ANB angle values were tested using linear regression analysis, considering sex as covariable. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference between groups were observed in tV only for the VP region; Class II individuals presented significantly lower tV (6863.75 ± 2627.20 mm3) than Class III subjects (9011.62 ± 3442.56 mm3) (p< 0.05). No significant differences were observed between groups for any other variable assessed, neither in MRP nor in the OP region (p> 0.05). A significant negative correlation was evidenced between tV and Axmin and the ANB angle values; sexual dimorphism was observed for some variables. CONCLUSIONS: Class II subjects have smaller tV in the VP region. tV and Axmin tend to decrease in all evaluated regions when the ANB angle values increase.

Analysis of the middle region of the pharynx in adolescents with different anteroposterior craniofacial skeletal patterns

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the volume and morphology of the middle region of the pharynx (MRP) in adolescents with different anteroposterior craniofacial skeletal patterns. Methods: One hundred twenty-six patients (56 male and 70 female), who had cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) within their records, were selected for this cross-sectional study. Participants were classified, according to their ANB angle value, in Class I (1o ≤ ANB ≤ 3o), Class II (ANB > 3o) and Class III (ANB < 1o). The total volume (tV), minimum axial area (AxMin) and morphology of the MRP and its subdivisions - velopharynx (VP) and oropharynx (OP) - were characterized by CBCT and 3-dimensional image reconstruction software. Intergroup comparisons were performed by ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests. Correlations between tV and Axmin with the ANB angle values were tested using linear regression analysis, considering sex as covariable. Results: Statistically significant difference between groups were observed in tV only for the VP region; Class II individuals presented significantly lower tV (6863.75 ± 2627.20 mm3) than Class III subjects (9011.62 ± 3442.56 mm3) (p< 0.05). No significant differences were observed between groups for any other variable assessed, neither in MRP nor in the OP region (p> 0.05). A significant negative correlation was evidenced between tV and Axmin and the ANB angle values; sexual dimorphism was observed for some variables. Conclusions: Class II subjects have smaller tV in the VP region. tV and Axmin tend to decrease in all evaluated regions when the ANB angle values increase.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o volume e a morfologia da porção média da faringe (PMF) em adolescentes com diferentes padrões esqueléticos no sentido anteroposterior. Método: para esse estudo transversal, foram selecionados cento e vinte e seis pacientes (56 homens e 70 mulheres) que tinham tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) em seus registros. Os participantes foram classificados de acordo com o valor do ângulo ANB, em Classe I (1o ≥ ANB ≤ 3o), Classe II (ANB > 3o) e Classe III (ANB < 1o). O volume total (Vt), a área axial mínima (AxMin) e a morfologia da PMF e de suas subdivisões - velofaringe (VF) e orofaringe (OF) - foram avaliados na TCFC e em software de reconstrução tridimensional (3D) de imagens. As comparações intergrupos foram realizadas por meio dos testes ANOVA e post-hoc de Tukey. As correlações entre os valores de Vt e Axmin das vias aéreas com os valores do ângulo ANB foram testadas por meio de análise de regressão linear, considerando-se o sexo como uma covariável. Resultados: diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos foi observada apenas no Vt da VF; indivíduos Classe II apresentaram Vt significativamente menor (6.863,75 ± 2.627,20 mm3) do que indivíduos Classe III (9.011,62 ± 3.442,56 mm3) (p< 0,05). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos em nenhuma outra variável avaliada, nem na PMF, nem na OF (p> 0,05). Foi evidenciada uma correlação negativa significativa entre Vt e Axmin e os valores do ângulo ANB; dimorfismo sexual foi observado para algumas variáveis. Conclusões: indivíduos Classe II apresentam o menor Vt da VF. O Vt e a Axmin tenderam a diminuir quando os valores do ângulo ANB aumentaram, em todas as regiões avaliadas.

Análise da porção média da faringe de pacientes com diferentes padrões esqueléticos faciais / Pharynx's middle segment analysis in adolescents of different facial skeletal patterns

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a morfologia, o volume e a área mais estreita da porção média das vias aéreas faríngeas e suas subdivisões (velofaringe e orofaringe) em tomografias computadorizadas de feixe cônico de adolescentes com padrões esqueléticos faciais Classe I, II e III. Foram selecionadas e avaliadas com o software Dolphin 3D imagens de 126 pacientes (41 Classe I, 45 Classe II e 40 Classe III). As comparações intergrupo foram realizadas através dos testes ANOVA/Tukey. As correlações entre os valores de volume e área axial mínima (Axmin) das vias aéreas com os valores do ângulo ANB foram testadas como variáveis contínuas por regressão linear, tendo o sexo como subgrupo. O volume da velofaringe no grupo Classe I (8138,9 ± 3371,7 mm3) não apresentou diferença significativa quando comparado aos grupos Classe II e III. Entretanto, houve diferença significativa (p<0,05) entre os grupos Classe II (6863,7 ± 2627,2 mm3) e Classe III (9011,6 ± 3442,6 mm3). Em relação à Axmin, os valores não foram significativamente diferentes entre os grupos. Contudo, o volume das vias aéreas faríngeas e a Axmin tenderam a diminuir com o aumento do ângulo ANB (correlação negativa) em todos os segmentos analisados. Perante os resultados obtidos, pode-­se afirmar que indivíduos Classe II demonstraram o volume da velofaringe significativamente menor que os indivíduos Classe III e Classe I (mesmo não significante estatisticamente). Existe uma tendência de que quanto maior for o ângulo ANB apresentado por um indivíduo, menor será o volume e área axial mínima das vias aéreas. (AU)

The aim of this study was to analyze the morphology, volume and the most constricted airway area of the middle segment of the pharynx and its subdivisions (velopharynx and oropharynx) in adolescents with different facial skeletal patterns in cone beam computed tomography. Records of 126 patients (41 skeletal Class I, 45 Class II and 40 Class III) were selected and evaluated with the software Dolphin 3D. Intergroup comparisons were performed with the ANOVA/Tukey tests. Correlations between the airway volume/minimum axial area (Axmin) and the ANB angle values were tested as continuous variables with linear regression, considering sex as subgroups. The volume of the velopharynx in Class I (8138.9 ± 3371.7 mm3) was not significantly different when compared to Class II and III groups. However, Class II (6863.7 ± 2627.1 mm3) and III groups (9011.6 ± 3442.5 mm3) were significantly different (p<0.05). The Axmin's values were not significantly different among groups. Airway volume and Axmin tended to decrease with the increase in ANB angle (negative correlation) in all segments assessed. Class II subjects showed significant smaller velopharynx volume than Class III and Class I subjects (although not statistically significant). The higher the ANB angle presented by an individual, the smaller the volume and minimal axial area of the airways tend to be.(AU)