A retrospective study of tracheal morphometry in Chinese adults by computed tomography

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the upper airway morphometry of Chinese adults by computed tomography.

Study Design:

This anatomical study consisted of radiological examination of Chinese adults’ upper airway and trachea using computed tomography and image analysis with the help of post-data capture processing software.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of sixty-five Chinese adults who underwent computed tomography of head and neck region at a regional hospital in Hong Kong was conducted.

Computed tomography performed by a Philips Gemini 16? PET/CTPhilips Gemini GXL 16 PET/CT Scanner. Post-data capture processing was performed on GE Advantage Window 4.3 workstation. Measurements were made on standard or oblique reformatted orthogonal planes.

Results:

65 consecutive computed tomography scans of the head and neck region of Chinese adults werereviewed. The distance between lower incisor and vocal cords was 144.0mm (±12.1 SD) in men and 124.8mm (±10.4 SD) in women. The distance between the vocal cord and cricoid ring was 21.5mm (±5.8SD) in men and 16.1mm (±6.3SD) in women. The distance between the lower incisor and cricoid ring was 165.5mm (±10.7SD) in men and 140.9 mm (±11.1SD) in women. The distance between the vocal cord and carina was 142.4mm (±12.1SD) in men and 130.4mm (±12.6SD) in women. The distance between the cricoid ring and carina was 121.0mm (±12.7SD) in men and 114.3mm (±10.2SD) in women. All these measurements showed statistically significant gender difference.

In men, the anteroposterior diameter of cricoid ring was 21.8mm (±1.4SD) and the transverse diameter was 17.0mm (±1.7SD). In women the anteroposterior diameter of cricoid ring was 17.4mm (±1.9SD) and the transverse diameter was 13.4mm (±1.8SD). Both were statistically different among men and women.

The anteroposterior diameter of trachea of men was 21.1mm (±2.9 SD) and the transverse diameter was 17.8mm (±2.7 SD). While the corresponding anteroposterior diameter was 16.1mm (±2.2 SD) and the transverse diameter was 15.9mm (±1.6 SD) in women with statistically significant difference.

Using the Pearson correlation, body height but not age of subjects was statistically correlated with all the airway measurements

Conclusion:

This study reports the tracheal morphometry and dimensions in a Chinese population and their correlation with body height. Details of these measurements will aid airway management and other upper airway procedures in this population.

Conclusion:

This study reports the tracheal morphometry and dimensions in a Chinese population and their correlation with body height. Details of these measurements will aid airway management and other upper airway procedures in this population.

Conclusion:

This study reports the tracheal morphometry and dimensions in a Chinese population and their correlation with body height. Details of these measurements will aid airway management and other upper airway procedures in this population.