Medidas intraindivíduo das vias aéreas superiores posteriores obtidas por tomografias computadorizadas Cone Beam e Fan Beam são correspondentes?

Abstract

Cone beam computed tomography and fan beam computed tomography have emerged as the predominant techniques for detailed evaluation of soft and hard tissues, each with specificities regarding image quality, cost, radiation exposure, and potential for artifact generation. These techniques are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning in dentistry, especially for assessing anatomical variations in the posterior upper airway, which can be influenced by the patient's head position, breathing, and swallowing during image acquisition. This study aims to compare the measurements of the posterior upper airways of the same individual in each of the tomographic methods, namely: Cone Beam and Fan Beam, to analyze the equivalence between the measurements. A sample of 25 patients underwent both computed tomography techniques, totaling 50 computed tomography scans. The study adopts a retrospective, cross-sectional observational methodology, following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. This study compares measurements of midsagittal plane area, volume, and most constricted area of the posterior upper airways, as well as the volume and most constricted area of their respective regions: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx, using standardized protocols for image acquisition and analysis. Significant differences were found in posterior upper airway measurements obtained by both tomographic methods in the same individual (p<0.001) using the Wilcoxon statistical test for paired samples. For most variables, cone beam tomography measurements were superior to fan beam tomography. This study contributes significantly to the academic literature by elucidating the differences in VASP measurements between Cone Beam and Fan Beam tomography. It is important to use only one of the tomographic techniques to evaluate the posterior upper airways of the same patient, since there are discrepancies in the measurements, which can directly influence clinical and therapeutic decisions.