Correlation analysis of airway space and condylar morphology in bilateral idiopathic condylar resorption patients

Abstract

To evaluate the airway space in bilateral idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR) patients and analyse the correlation between the morphological characteristics of the condyles and airway parameters. In all, 35 female patients with bilateral ICR (mean age: 21.6 years) and 35 age‐matched female controls (mean age: 21.3 years) were included. Airway parameters were measured using CBCT. Independent T‐tests were used to analyse the differences between the bilateral ICR group and the control group, and then the correlation between airway parameters and condylar parameters was detected using Pearson correlation analysis. p < .05 was considered statistically significant. Patients with bilateral ICR showed a significant decrease in airway volume, minimum axial area and sagittal sectional area (p < .05). The bilateral condylar axial angle positively correlated with airway volume and sagittal sectional area (p < .05). In contrast, the bilateral condylar neck angle negatively correlated with sagittal sectional area (p < .05). None of the condylar parameters showed a correlation with minimum axial area of the airway in the bilateral ICR group (p > .05). Bilateral ICR significantly affects patients' airway space. The condylar axial angle and neck angle correlate with airway parameters.