Evaluation of pharyngeal airway volume and nasal septum deviation relation in different sagittal and vertical craniofacial patterns through cone beam computed tomography

Abstract

ObjectivePharyngeal airway, maxilla, mandible and nasal septum are maxillofacial structures with intimate relationship. The mutual effects of these structures would modify treatment plan and final results of surgical or orthodontic interventions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of nasal septum deviation and pharyngeal airway volume in various antero-posterior and vertical facial skeletal patterns. Methods215 cone beam computed tomography scans were assessed to determine four variables; Presence of nasal septum deviation in coronal and axial planes, pharyngeal airway volume, antero-posterior skeletal facial pattern and vertical craniofacial pattern. The relation among these variables was investigated. To determine intra-rater reliability of measurements intra-class correlation coefficient was calculated for 10 % of the sample size. ResultsA significant difference was found between pharyngeal airway volume of men and women (P < 0.05). No significant association between nasal septum deviation and pharyngeal airway volume was detected in different antero-posterior and vertical facial patterns. Nasal septum deviation had no significant correlation with sagittal facial patterns but presented a considerable relation with vertical facial patterns (P < 0.001). No significant association was distinguished between pharyngeal airway volume and facial pattern of growth both anterior-posteriorly and vertically. The reliability of measurements was excellent (0.9). ConclusionsMales have significantly larger pharyngeal volume. Nasal septum deviation has a statistically significant relation with vertical skeletofacial patterns. Although pharyngeal airway volume did not present a significant relation with sagittal and vertical craniofacial patterns, the greatest dimensions were related to horizontal vertical facial pattern and Class I sagittal pattern.