Confirming Nasal Airway Dimensions Observed on Panoramic and Posterior-Anterior Cephalometric Radiographs Using An Acoustic Rhinometer

Abstract

This study aimed to confirm the nasal airway dimensions observed in standard dental radiographs through analysis of the anterior nasal cross-sectional area and nasal volume with acoustic rhinometry. Participants were chosen from the patient population under consideration for interceptive orthodontic treatment at Tufts University's Pediatric Dentistry Clinic. A total of 55 Caucasian subjects, of both sexes (males=28, females =27), and ranging from age 6-9 years (mean= 7.33) were enrolled. Utilizing the ImageJ program, the subjects' panoramic and PA cephalometric radiographs were analyzed for radiolucent anterior nasal cross-sectional area. Subjects were then examined with the Eccovision Acoustic Rhinometer, which measured anterior nasal cross-sectional area and nasal volume. Data were grouped together, and areas and volume gathered from the radiographs and rhinometer analyzed for any correlation. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS program. Data was further divided into right and left nasal side, and a Pearson Correlation Matrix was created for 8 predictor variables (right and left panoramic area, right and left cephalometric area, right and left rhinometer area, and right and left rhinometer volume). Values in this correlation matrix ranged from 0.712 to 0.988; all were statistically significant at the <0.01 level (2-tailed test). A very strong correlation was found between the anterior nasal cross-sectional area calculated from the radiographs, and the anterior nasal cross-sectional area and nasal volume from the rhinometer.