Graduation Date

Fall 12-18-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Programs

Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area

First Advisor

Sheela Premaraj

Second Advisor

Sundaralingam Premaraj

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in volume, cross-sectional area and depth of the upper airway following the surgical removal of the adenoids.

Materials and Methods: 16 patients were diagnosed with hypertrophic adenoids and referred for surgical removal. Pre-surgical and post-surgical CBCT scans were taken on each patient. Volume measurements of the total airway, oropharynx and nasopharynx were recorded. In addition, cross-sectional areas and airway depths at the posterior nasal spine (PNS) and cervical vertebrae 2 were recorded. 15 patients diagnosed with no or mild adenoid hypertrophy were treated as the control group. The controls received no surgery and only a pre-surgical scan. Pre-surgical, post-surgical and control group measurements were compared for statistically significant differences.

Results: Following surgery, a significant increase in total and nasopharyngeal airway volumes, cross-sectional area at PNS and airway depth at PNS was measured between the pre- and post-surgical groups. When compared with controls, the pre-surgical group demonstrated significantly smaller measurements for total and nasopharyngeal airway volume, cross-sectional area at PNS and airway depth at PNS. The post-surgical group did not exhibit any significant differences with the control group in any measurements.

Conclusions: Surgical removal of adenoids results in significant changes in the total and nasopharyngeal airway volume. Significant changes also occur in cross-sectional area and airway depth at PNS.

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