Mr. Wim Vos1, Dr. Stijn Verhulst2, Dr. Jan De Backer1, Mrs. Kim Van Hoorenbeeck2, and Prof. Dr Wilfried De Backer3
1Respiratory, FluidDA nv, Kontich, Belgium;2Pediatrics, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium and 3Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
Introduction: This study aims to investigate the gender and age related changes in upper airway morphology in a population of obese/OSA children.
Methodology: 20 children (10M/10F, average age 9.2y [3-15]) underwent an end inspiratory CT scan of the upper airway region. Using segmentation techniques a three dimensional reconstruction of the upper airway geometry is made, starting at the hard palate and reaching down to top of the larynx. For this region the length, the minimal and average cross sectional area, and the concavity (minimal area divided by average area) are calculated.
Results: No gender related differences in upper airway shape are observed. Age does correlate with upper airway length, minimal and average cross sectional area. The concavity of the upper airway does not correlate with age.
