Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2026 Jan 14:twag005. doi: 10.1093/dmfr/twag005. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Upper airway assessment is crucial due to its impact on craniofacial growth and airway-related disorders. This retrospective observational cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the upper pharyngeal airway space volume and minimum cross-sectional area in a normal sample from Upper Egypt population, analyzing age and gender-related variations using cone-beam computed tomography.
METHODS: Ninety cone beam computed tomography scans of patients aged 18 to 60 years were evaluated. The sample was divided into three groups (Group I: ≤20 years, Group II: 21-40 years, and Group III: >40 years). Each group was further divided into two subgroups according to gender. Nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and total airway volumes, as well as the minimum cross-sectional area, were calculated using Dolphin 3D® software. Two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: The findings revealed significant gender differences. Males exhibited larger airway dimensions across all age groups except for nasopharyngeal volumes in adults over 20 years. A decline in airway volumes and minimum cross-sectional area in individuals over 40 years. The most constricted airway area predominantly occurred in the oropharynx. A strong positive correlation exists between minimum cross-sectional area and airway volumes. Very good inter- and intra-observer agreement.
CONCLUSIONS: Upper pharyngeal airway dimensions in a sample of the Upper Egyptian population are influenced by age and gender, highlighting the need for age and gender specific considerations in the diagnosis and treatment.
ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This study is the first to evaluate age and gender-related variations in upper pharyngeal airway volume within the Upper Egypt population. Also, it introduces a discriminant model that provides a probabilistic classification of the site of minimum cross-sectional area with 62.2% accuracy.
PMID:41537243 | DOI:10.1093/dmfr/twag005
