Acoustic rhinometry in children undergoing a rapid maxillary expansion

Mario CAPPELLETTE JR., Daniela CARLINI, Shirley Shizue Nagata PIGNATARI, Oswaldo Laércio Mendonça CRUZ, Luc Louis Maurice WECKX

Aim: this research study was carried out by professionals of the Paulista School of Medicine - UNIFESP and it relates to the Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology subject. The current study aimed at checking the behaviour of the maxillary dysjunction and its influence in the nasal cavity of children between 7 and 8 years of age who underwent acoustic rhinometry. Methods: 20 mouth-breathing subjects presenting maxillary atresia diagnosed clinically were evaluated. Subjects underwent objective evaluation of the nasal cavity before and after maxillary dysjunction by means of acoustic rhinometry. Results of the minimal transverse area (MCA1) and the nasal mass (VOL1 and VOL2) were analyzed. Results: in the left side, MCA1 and MCA2 results before maxillary dysjunction were smaller than MCA1 and MCA2 after maxillary dysjunction. In the right side, MCA1 before maxillary dysjunction was smaller than MCA1 after maxillary dysjunction. Such increaments showed to be statistically significant. Conclusion: acoustic rhinometry is an objective method of evaluating the variation of the nasal cavity. Maxillary dysjunction causes a significant increase in the nasal cavity area and volume.

Keywords: Maxillary atresia. Rapid maxillary expansion. Acoustic rhinometry. Mouth breathing.

Wednesday, May 01, 2024 23:07