UPPER AIR WAY TRACT NORMS FOR SAUDI ADULTS (JAZAN): A COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY BASED STUDY

Fathia Abd El Rahman Mohamed Alamin and Caroline Edward Ayad*

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To obtain normative data of upper airway in Saudi adult population in Jazan-South Saudi Arabia as local reference. Materials and Methods: Study included 64 healthy subjects, 43(67.2%) were males and 21 (32.8%) were females with (mean age: 25.69±6.6). All were with normal skeletal profile with no history of sleep-related disorders or trauma. The cephalometric parameters assessed were; SNA (o) SNB (o) and ANB (o). Neck circumference (NC) and other upper air way measurement including linear distance between mandibular plane and hyoid bone (MP-H), upper airway length (UAL), the maximum thickness of the soft palate (SP max), soft palate length (PNS –U), linear distance between anterior and posterior nasal spine (ANS- PNS), retroglosal width (RS), retroplatal width (RP) were measured and evaluated in both genders. Statistical Analysis: Paired t-test was used P-value <0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: No significant gender dimorphisms results were observed in most of the parameters with the exception of the maximum thickness of the soft palate (SP max) and neck circumference (NC). A local reference of upper air way values for Saudi –Jazan population was recognized. New equations to predict the (ANS- PNS), (MP-H) and (NC) for Saudi population of known age were established. Conclusions: Saudi in Jazan has distinct cephalometric and upper air way tract features, for which specific norms should be used as a reference in treating orthodontic patients. Norms for the airway in the Saudi-Jazan population were established in this study. Data derived from this study can be used as a reference for assessment of obstructive sleep apnea for Saudi-Jazan if present.

Keywords: upper air way tract, cephalometry, computerized tomography.