Abstract
Introduction: This study aims to investigate the gender and age related changes in upper airway morphology in a population of obese/OSA children.
Methodology: 20 children (10M/10F, average age 9.2y [3-15]) underwent an end inspiratory CT scan of the upper airway region. Using segmentation techniques a three dimensional reconstruction of the upper airway geometry is made, starting at the hard palate and reaching down to top of the larynx. For this region the length, the minimal and average cross sectional area, and the concavity (minimal area divided by average area) are calculated.
Results: No gender related differences in upper airway shape are observed. Age does correlate with upper airway length, minimal and average cross sectional area. The concavity of the upper airway does not correlate with age.
Conclusion: Upper airway imaging and segmentation can be used to phenotype specific OSA populations.
- © 2011 ERS