Assessment of airway characteristics in Pierre Robin sequence using computed tomography-based 3-dimensional reconstruction and numerical simulation
In brief
CT scans reveal Pierre Robin infants have narrowed airway in three regions
In a matched comparison of 21 infants with Pierre Robin sequence and 21 controls, 3-D CT reconstruction showed the airway cross-section at the tongue base was larger, but three other upper-airway segments were significantly smaller, producing lower pressure and airflow velocity. These anatomical differences may guide tailored airway management, though clinical impact needs further study.
- Journal
- Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery (Q1)
- Published
- 31 August 2026
- Study design
- Cohort / observational study
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- Wei Ding, Yu Mao, Mingzhang Zuo, Ruize Yang, Lifang Yang
- PMID
- 42673698
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jcms.2026.109847
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Anatomy (paper of the day, 2 September 2026): Airway CT 3D reconstruction in Pierre Robin sequence
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) syndrome has clinical features of small mandible, tongue drooping, and respiratory obstruction. This study compared the 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the upper airway anatomy based on computed tomography (CT) data between PRS and normal control (NC) children, and analyzed the dynamical changes and airflow field using computer fluid dynamics (CFD) between the two populations. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 66 PRS and 23 NC children, and all CT data were obtained and used for reconstruction and numerical simulation. 10 anatomical landmarks were used to estimate the mandibular morphology, while the sectional area (SA), pressure, and velocity of five upper airway cross sections (CS) were measured. The measurement results of 3D reconstruction and CFD were subjected to mean processing. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to enhance the degree of demographic matching. RESULTS: After PSM correction, 21 cases were finally included in each group. The average month age was (5.29 ± 4.26) months, with 52.4% (n = 22) being male. Besides the similar narrowest SA of the tongue base in the anterior-posterior direction, there were differences in other measurement parameters between two groups. Meanwhile, the SA of CS-1 in the PRS group was larger than that in the NC group (P < 0.001); Correspondingly, the pressure and velocity in the PRS group were significantly lower (both P < 0.001). Furthermore, except for similar SA of CS-5, the other three SA in the PRS group were significantly smaller than those in the NC group (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the abnormal anatomical characteristics in PRS, thereby helping clinicians establish appropriate airway management plans in clinical practice.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.