American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2002
Authors: K. J. Monahan, E. K. Larkin, C. L. Rosen, G. Graham, and S.
Redline
Conclusion: “The usefulness of any diagnostic test depends on numerous factors, including its feasibility, predictive ability (regarding predicting clinical endpoints or discriminating subgroups of the population), precision (or reliability), accuracy, and cost. We have demonstrated that acoustic pharyngometry can be adapted for use in children, and trained personnel can successfully obtain highly reproducible data even in nonclinical settings (such as the home).”
“Radiographic comparisons have shown that pharyngometry allows accurate reconstructions of the geometry of other airway structures including the larynx, trachea, and nasal airways. Airway modes that have been used to assess the accuracy of the technique further indicate that accuracy is greater with smaller mouth areas.”
“Longitudinal follow-up of children and young adults with simple tools such as acoustic reflectometry may shed further light on how pharyngeal dimensions change after puberty and with growth and maturation and hormonal changes.”
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