Comparative evaluation of upper airway dimensions with acoustic rhinometry and cone-beam computed tomography

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this retrospective study was to correlate the narrowest area and volume of nasal cavity assessed by acoustic rhinometry (AR) with the oropharynx area and volume assessed by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on CBCT images and AR records of 45 mouth-breathing individuals (27 male and 18 female) aged between 12-14 years. The examinations assessed: (a) acoustic rhinometry: nasal volume and minimum cross-sectional area 1 and 2 of nasal cavity; (b) cone-beam computed tomography: oropharyngeal volume and area. The results were evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: There was no statistically significant relationship between airway volume and nasal cavity parameters (MCA1, MCA2 and nasal volume) (p>0.05). There was a weak negative correlation between airway area and nasal volume (r=-0.394; p=0.013).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The highest correlation was found only between the airway area and the nasal volume when the AR results were compared with the data obtained from the CBCT imaging technique.