Evaluation of the human airway using cone-beam computerized tomography.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this project was to define and measure human airway space with radiographic volumetric 3-dimensional imaging and digital reconstruction of the pharynx using cone-beam computerized tomography. STUDY DESIGN This was a randomized retrospective study. Ten patient scans were selected randomly from a pool of 196 subjects seeking dental treatment at the University of California, San Francisco. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine-format volume images were captured using a low-radiation rapid-scanning cone-beam computerized tomography system (Hitachi MercuRay). RESULTS Detailed progressive rostrocaudal cross-sectional area histograms indicated that 8 of the 10 subjects demonstrated a region of maximum constriction near the oropharynx level. The most restricted cross-sectional area varied from 90 mm(2) to 360 mm(2). CONCLUSIONS The maximum constriction of the airway in 10 subjects quietly breathing for 10 seconds indicated variation in the level of the pharynx and the extent of the rostrocaudal zone of restriction.