TY - JOUR
T1 - Computed tomography of the pharynx in a closed vs. open mouth position
AU - Laurenson, Michele P.
AU - Zwingenberger, Allison
AU - Cissell, Derek
AU - Johnson, Lynelle R
AU - Mcpeters, Matie J.
AU - Spriet, Mathieu
AU - Taylor, Sandra L.
AU - Pollard, Rachel E
PY - 2011/7
Y1 - 2011/7
N2 - The pharynx is anatomically complex and evaluation can be difficult even with cross-sectional imaging. Eight animals had computed tomography (CT) studies of the head performed with the mouth open and closed. The studies were anonymized and evaluated by four radiologists for visibility of six anatomic regions (dorsal wall of nasopharynx, lumen of nasopharynx, dorsal margin of the soft palate, ventral margin of the soft palate, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx) and for certainty of a normal or abnormal diagnosis of four different anatomic regions (nasopharynx, soft palate, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx). Mean visual scores differed significantly between mouth positions and were improved when the mouth was open. The ability of radiologists to classify anatomic regions as normal or abnormal vs. unsure also varied between mouth positions, and there was greater uncertainty when the mouth was closed. In addition, estimated volume of the air-filled nasopharynx differed significantly as a function of mouth position and was greater when the mouth was open (mean=1.187cm 3, SE=0.177) vs. closed (mean=0.584cm 3, SE=0.116). Computed tomographic evaluation of the pharynx can be improved with the mouth open.
AB - The pharynx is anatomically complex and evaluation can be difficult even with cross-sectional imaging. Eight animals had computed tomography (CT) studies of the head performed with the mouth open and closed. The studies were anonymized and evaluated by four radiologists for visibility of six anatomic regions (dorsal wall of nasopharynx, lumen of nasopharynx, dorsal margin of the soft palate, ventral margin of the soft palate, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx) and for certainty of a normal or abnormal diagnosis of four different anatomic regions (nasopharynx, soft palate, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx). Mean visual scores differed significantly between mouth positions and were improved when the mouth was open. The ability of radiologists to classify anatomic regions as normal or abnormal vs. unsure also varied between mouth positions, and there was greater uncertainty when the mouth was closed. In addition, estimated volume of the air-filled nasopharynx differed significantly as a function of mouth position and was greater when the mouth was open (mean=1.187cm 3, SE=0.177) vs. closed (mean=0.584cm 3, SE=0.116). Computed tomographic evaluation of the pharynx can be improved with the mouth open.
KW - Cat
KW - CT
KW - Dog
KW - Nasopharynx
KW - Pharynx
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2011.01805.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2011.01805.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 21382119
AN - SCOPUS:79960497659
VL - 52
SP - 357
EP - 361
JO - Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound
JF - Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound
SN - 1058-8183
IS - 4
ER -