• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.74-82
• /
• 2008

Objective: This study examined the craniofacial morphology of young patients in their prepubertal stage showing class I, II malocclusion, by analyzing lateral cephalograms, and analyzed its relationship with tongue position, tongue space, and airway space in order to ascertain the effects of nasopharyngeal airway and tongue morphology on the form of the malocclusion. Methods: Seventy-six patients aging from 9 to 11 were divided into two groups depending on the ANB difference on the lateral cephalogram: Experimental group (CI II malocclusion group) showing $0{\le}ANB$ difference < 4.0; Control group (CI I malocclusion group) showing $0{\le}ANB$ difference < 4.0. The tongue space, space between palate and tongue, nasopharyngeal airway space and craniofacial morphology were compared between the two groups. Results: Tongue space, palate-tongue space, nasopharyngeal airway space showed no significant differences between class I and class II malocclusion groups. Hyperdivergent faces were associated with smaller nasopharyngeal airway space. Longer anterior facial height and posterior facial height were associated with larger tongue space, and greater anterior facial height were associated with lower tongue position. Smaller nasopharyngeal airway space showed smaller tongue space. Conclusions: Tongue space and nasopharyngeal airway space showed no significant differences between class I malocclusion group and class II malocclusion group. Only anterior facial height and posterior facial height had an influence on tongue space and nasopharyngeal airway space.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.343-350
• /
• 2000

The goal of this study is the comparison of upper airway size and change of skeletal Class I group and skeletal Class III group (before operation, within 2 weeks after operation, 6 months after operation) respectively. At first, we measured the lines between selected upper air way landmarks on lateral cephalometric x-ray film of skeletal Class I 40 persons whoes age were 23-26 years old, ,and did the same lines of landmarks of skeletal Class III 44 persons who had not been operated yet, were within 2 weeks after operation, were 6 months after operation. And we compared it respectively and analyzed it with paired t-test. We studied the relationship of those on produced data. 1. Skeletal Class III group was narrower in nasopharyngeal air way space than that of skeletal Class I group, and increased in thickness of oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal wall within 2 weeks after operation, and reduced in nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal air way space, and did in thickness of nasopharngeal, hypopharyngeal wall 6 months after operation. 2. Skeletal Class III group reduced in nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal air way space, and increased in thickness of nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal wall within 2 weeks after operation, restored the thickness of nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal wall, but did not restored nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal air way space. 3. Vertical length from hyoid bone to mandibular plane did not have signifacant difference from Class I group but after operation, it increased more than Class I group significantly. 4. The size of airway reduced after operation. Among this, oropharyngeal airway most reduced.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.139-148
• /
• 1984

The CT findings of 46 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer were analyzed and compared with clinical tumor staging. They are composed of 28 cases $(61\%)$ of squamous cell carcinoma, 13cases $(28\%)$ of undifferentiated carcinoma, 4 cases $(9\%)$of lymphoma and 1 case $(2\%)$ of adenoid cystic carcinoma. The results were as follows : 1. The most common CT findings of nasopharyngeal cancers are air·way asymmetry including obliteration of Rosenmuller fossa, orifice of Eustachian tube and asymmetric obliteration of parapharyngeal fat. 2. Other involved anatomic sites are carotid sheath area, oropharynx, paranasal sinuses especially sphenoid sinus, cervical lymph nodes, nasal cavity and skull base or middle cranial fossa. 3. CT does significantly influence on the tumor staging of the nasopharynx cancers, but has a definite value in evaluating deep tissue invasion of the cancers especially to parapharyngeal space or carotid sheath area. 4. CT seems to be essential for staging work-up, estimating the prognosis, and assessing the effect of radiotherapy of the nasopharyngeal cancer because it clearly shows the whole extent of the tumors including deep tissue invasion.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.517-523
• /
• 2000

Nasopharyngeal closure is a sphincter mechanism between the activities of the soft palate, lateral pharyngeal wall and the posterior pharyngeal wall, which divides the oral cavity and the nasal cavity. It participates in physiological activities such as swallowing, breathing and pronunciation. In case of an error in this mechanism, it is called a nasopharyngeal incompetence. The causes of this error are defects in (1) length, function, posture of the soft palate (2) depth and width of the nasopharynx, (3) activity of the posterior and lateral pharyngeal wall. The purpose of this study is to analyze the nasopharynx of cleft palate patients using lateral cephalograms and at the same time, evaluate the degree of hypernasality of each vowels to find its relationship with nasopharyngeal incompetence. The following results were obtained: 1. The length of the soft palate was markedly short than normal. 2. The adequate ratio was smaller than the normal value. 3. As the adequate ratio decreased, when articulating vowels, anatomic mVPI increased. 4. When articulating each vowels, anatomic VPI was in proportion with the degree of hypernasality. 5. The degree of hypernasality was greater in high vowels(/i/, /u/) than low vowel(/a/). From the above results, it can be concluded that in cleft palate patients, lateral cephalograms can be used effectively in diagnosing and evaluating nasopharyngeal incompetence. The anatomic structure of the nasopharynx has close relation to the degree of hypernasality.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal dimensions of individuals with skeletal class II, division 1 and division 2 patterns during the pre-peak, peak, and post-peak growth periods for comparison with a skeletal class I control group. Materials and Methods: Totally 124 lateral cephalograms (47 for skeletal class I; 45 for skeletal class II, division 1; and 32 for skeletal class II, division 2) in pre-peak, peak, and post-peak growth periods were selected from the department archives. Thirteen landmarks, 4 angular and 4 linear measurements, and 4 proportional calculations were obtained. The ANOVA and Duncan test were applied to compare the differences among the study groups during the growth periods. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the skeletal class II, division 2 group and other groups for the gonion-gnathion/sella-nasion angle. The sella-nasion-B-point angle was different among the groups, while the A-point-nasion-B-point angle was significantly different for all 3 groups. The nasopharyngeal airway space showed a statistically significant difference among the groups throughout the growth periods. The interaction among the growth periods and study groups was statistically significant regarding the upper oropharyngeal airway space measurement. The lower oropharyngeal airway space measurement showed a statistically significant difference among the groups, with the smallest dimension observed in the skeletal class II, division 2 group. Conclusion: The naso-oropharyngeal airway dimensions showed a statistically significant difference among the class II, division 1; class II, division 2; and class I groups during different growth periods.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 2006

After orthognathic surgery in skeletal class III patients, the hyoid bone position and the upper airway dimension could be changed due to mandibular setback. There has been many studies about airway dimension of the patients with skeletal class II malocclusion or obstructive sleep apnea. but not with skeletal class III. The purpose of this study was to examine the change of position of the hyoid bone and the consequent change of airway space as the result of retrusion of mandible after orthognathic surgery in skeletal Cl III malocclusion patients. It is also to apply this results in predicting, diagnosing and treating the subsequent obstructive sleep apnea. Forty patients who were diagnosed as skeletal Cl III maloccusion, received orthoganthic surgery of both jaws including mandibular setback, and were followed up post-operatively for more than 6 months were selected. There were 10 male patients 30 female patients. The preoperative and postoperative lateral cephalograms were traced and the distances and angles were measured. The nasopharyngeal space increased postoperatively while the oropharyngeal space decreased. Except for the change of oroparyngeal space, the changes in male patients were greater than female patients. The hyoid bone moved in the posterior-inferior direction, and the change was greater in males than in females. If the postoperative mandibular setback is great, then a significant decrease of airway space and posterior and inferior movement of the hyoid bone were observed. This can result in symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea. This result should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment planning of orthognathic surgery patients.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.63-67
• /
• 1993

The syndrome of carotid sinus hypersensitivity is cardovascular symptom complex including lightheadedness, transient loss of consciousness, perspiration, pallor, weakness of lower extremities, transient hypotension, bradycardia and seizure, which occurs from firing of hyperactive carotid sinus reflex. Most cases are idiopathic, but maliganant tumors involving parapharyngeal space have been occasionally implicated. We present a case of carotid sinus hypersensitivity due to nasopharyngeal carcinoma invading the parapharyngeal space with bilateral cervical lymphnode metastases(stage IV, $T_4N_2M_0$). The patient experienced several episodes of severe syncope proceeded by blurring of vision, dizziness and nausea, which were used to occur while he was working in erect position. The tumors were markedly regressed by external radiation therapy with successful resolution of syncope.

• Proceedings of The Korean Cleft Lip And Palate Association
• /
• 2003.06a
• /
• pp.43-43
• /
• 2003

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.401-406
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the position of the hyoid bone and soft palate and the amount of airway space after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (B-SSRO). Methods: This study is a review of lateral cephalometric tracings of 30 patients who underwent B-SSRO with setbacks at Kyunghee Dental Hospital from 2005 to 2009. Lateral cephalograms were taken before (T0), within one month (T1), and more than six months after the surgery (T2). Results: The hyoid bone at T1 changed significantly towards the inferoposterior position. At T2, it had significantly moved superiorly, but not anteriorly. At T1, the nasopharyngeal space, extending from the posterior nasal spine to the posterior pharyngeal space, decreased significantly, but did not show a significant increase at T2. The nasopharyngeal space, extending from the middle of soft palate to the posterior pharyngeal space, decreased significantly at T1, but did not show a significant decrease at T2. The oropharyngeal airway space decreased significantly at T1 and did not return to its original position at T2. The hypopharyngeal space, extending from the anterior to the posterior pharyngeal space at the level of the most anterior point of the third cervical vertebrae, slightly decreased at T1, but the amount was insignificant; however, the amount of decrease at T2 was significant. The hypopharyngeal space extending from the anterior to the posterior pharyngeal space at the level of the lowest point of the third cervical vertebrae, decreased significantly at T1 but returned to its original position at T2. Conclusion: B-SSRO changes the position of the hyoid bone and muscles inferoposteriorly. These change allows enough space for the tongue and prevent airway obstruction. Airway changes may be related to post-operative edema, posterior movement of the soft palate, anteroposterior movement of the hyoid bone, or compensation for decreased oral cavity volume. The position of the pogonion which measures anterior relapse after surgery did not show significant differences during the follow-up period.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.211-220
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in the pharyngeal airway space, tongue and hyoid bone positions according to the orthognathic surgical methods of mandibular prognathism. Methods: The subjects included 30 patients (16 males, 14 females) with the skeletal class III malocclusion. Group 1 (10 patients) underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) only; group 2 (10 patients) underwent BSSRO with genioplasty; and group 3 (10 patients) underwent BSSRO, Le Fort I osteotomy. We measured the lines between the selected upper air way, hyoid bone and tongue landmarks on the lateral cephalometric x-ray films of skeletal class III. The measurements were made preoperation, within 1 week after the operation, 3~6 months after the operation and 1 year after the operation. We compared and analyzed the measurements with matched paired t-test and independent samples t-test. Results: There were no postoperative changes in the nasopharyngeal airway space in group 3. The measurements of group 3 also increased during the follow-up period as compared to the preoperative measurements. In group 1, 2 and 3, the immediate postoperative oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway spaces were decreased. In the following period, the hypopharyngeal airway space returned to the preoperative positions, but the oropharyngeal airway space was not significantly changed. The upper and lower tongue was posteriorly repositioned immediately after the surgery. During the follow-up period, the lower tongue position returned to the preoperative position, and the upper tongue position was not significantly changed. Immediately after the surgery, the B point was moved to the posterior position, and a slight anterior advancement was found in the follow-up period. Conclusion: Patients who received the mandibular setback surgery showed a decrease in the posterior airway space, and those who underwent maxillary advancement showed a significant increase of the nasopharyngeal airway space, which remained stable during the evaluation period. The change of the airway space, position of the hyoid bone and tongue did not differ according to the presence or absence of genioplasty.