Schendel Stephen A, Jacobson Richard, Khalessi Sadri
Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94025, USA.
J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2012 Sep;70(9):2174-83. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2011.10.013. Epub 2012 Feb 9.
The present study was undertaken to investigate the changes in the normal upper airway during growth and development using 3-dimensional computer analysis from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data to provide a normative reference.
The airway size and respiratory mode are known to have a relationship to facial morphology and the development of a malocclusion. The use of CBCT, 3-dimensional imaging, and automated computer analysis in treatment planning allows the upper airway to be precisely evaluated. In the present study, we evaluated the growth of the airway using 3-dimensional analysis and CBCT data from age 6 through old age, in 1300 normal individuals.
The airway size and length increase until age 20 at which time a variable period of stability occurs. Next, the airway at first decreases slowly in size and then, after age 40, more rapidly. Normative data are provided in the present study for age groups from 6 to 60 years in relation to the airway total volume, smallest cross-sectional area and vertical length of the airway.
This 3-dimensional data of the upper airway will provide a normative reference as an aid in the early understanding of respiration and dentofacial anatomy, which will help in early treatment planning.
本研究旨在利用锥形束计算机断层扫描（CBCT）数据进行三维计算机分析，以研究正常上气道在生长发育过程中的变化，从而提供一个规范性参考。
气道大小和呼吸模式与面部形态及错牙合畸形的发展有关。在治疗计划中使用CBCT、三维成像和自动化计算机分析能够精确评估上气道。在本研究中，我们对1300名正常个体从6岁至老年阶段的气道生长情况进行了三维分析，并使用了CBCT数据。
气道大小和长度在20岁之前增加，此后会出现一段可变的稳定期。接下来，气道大小首先缓慢减小，然后在40岁之后减小得更快。本研究提供了6至60岁各年龄组气道总体积、最小横截面积和气道垂直长度的规范性数据。
上气道的三维数据将提供一个规范性参考，有助于早期了解呼吸和牙颌面解剖结构，从而有助于早期治疗计划的制定。
