Three-Dimensional Assessment of the Pharyngeal Airway in Growing versus Non-Growing Subjects with/without Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract

Clefts of the lip or palate (CLPs) are the most common craniofacial birth defect, with a worldwide incidence of ~1 in 700 live births. The objective of this study is to assess the characteristics of the nasopharyngeal airway in growing vs. non-growing cleft lip/palate subjects and compare them with normal subjects. This retrospective study analyzed eighty-seven scans of three groups from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were coded and landmarks were identified using a Dolphin three-dimensional (3D) imaging software server (version 11.7; Patterson Dental Supply, Chatsworth, Calif). All values showed strong measurement reliability (>80), except for the nasopharynx measurement. Regarding gender difference, for the nasopharynx, female subjects (1261.32 ± 713.94) showed the lowest significant values in non-growing unilateral compared to males (6496.8 ± 2987) at p = 0.008. For oropharynx, in the growing bilateral cleft group, male subjects (13,046.79 ± 5521.89) showed a significant difference (p = 0.046) compared to females (8468.98 ± 4279.99). MP-SN, B, A, SNA., SN.B., and ANS-ME showed significant differences for cephalometric parameters (p < 0.05). Despite significant differences in linear and angular measurements, volumetric airway measurements showed no significant differences in the growing groups. For non-growing cleft subjects, the cleft anomaly significantly affected the nasal cavity and left maxillary sinus volumes.

Three-Dimensional Assessment of Upper Airway Volume and Morphology in Patients with Different Sagittal Skeletal Patterns

“…Studies show that more than a quarter of radiographs in the European Union are made in dental medicine [9]. However, two-dimensional (2D) imaging techniques have proven to be ineffective in reproducing three-dimensional (3D) structures and associated pathologies [9,[22][23][24][25]. With the appearance of CBCT in the late 1990s, dental radiography was revolutionized [10].…”

“…However, their measurements were performed two-dimensionally in lateral radiographs [17]. The morphology of the pharyngeal airway in growing and nongrowing cleft lip and palate patients was assessed in Abdelkarim et al's study [22]. Their sample consisted of 36 cleft lip and palate subjects and 30 subjects without cleft lip and palate in the control group [22].…”

“…The morphology of the pharyngeal airway in growing and nongrowing cleft lip and palate patients was assessed in Abdelkarim et al's study [22]. Their sample consisted of 36 cleft lip and palate subjects and 30 subjects without cleft lip and palate in the control group [22]. A meta-analysis [20] in 2022 aimed to evaluate scientific evidence related to the effects of different orthodontic treatment possibilities on the airways.…”