The influence of tonsillar obstruction and tonsillectomy on facial growth and dental arch morphology

Pathophysiology of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea

Sleep-disordered breathing is a common and serious cause of metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurocognitive morbidity in children. The spectrum of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing ranges from habitual snoring to partial or complete airway obstruction, termed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Breathing patterns due to airway narrowing are highly variable, including obstructive cycling, increased respiratory effort, flow limitation, tachypnea, and/or gas exchange abnormalities. As a consequence, sleep homeostasis may be disturbed. Increased upper airway resistance is an essential component of OSA, including any combination of narrowing/retropositioning of the maxilla/mandible and/or adenotonsillar hypertrophy. However, in addition to anatomic factors, the stability of the upper airway is predicated on neuromuscular activation, ventilatory control, and arousal threshold. During sleep, most children with OSA intermittently attain a stable breathing pattern, indicating successful neuromuscular activation. At sleep onset, airway muscle activity is reduced, ventilatory variability increases, and an apneic threshold slightly below eupneic levels is observed in non-REM sleep. Airway collapse is offset by pharyngeal dilator activity in response to hypercapnia and negative lumenal pressure. Ventilatory overshoot results in sudden reduction in airway muscle activation, contributing to obstruction during non-REM sleep. Arousal from sleep exacerbates ventilatory instability and, thus, obstructive cycling. Paroxysmal reductions in pharyngeal dilator activity related to central REM sleep processes likely account for the disproportionate severity of OSA observed during REM sleep. Understanding the pathophysiology of pediatric OSA may permit more precise clinical phenotyping, and therefore improve or target therapies related to anatomy, neuromuscular compensation, ventilatory control, and/or arousal threshold.

The development of snoring and sleep related breathing distress from 4 to 6 years in a cohort of Swedish children

BACKGROUND

Snoring is common among both children and adults and a sign of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Adenotonsillectomy is often the solution offered, although the effect is uncertain. There are also some who say that young children who snore will outgrow it even without treatment. The present investigation compares snoring and co-founding symptoms in parental reports for a cohort of children at age 4 and at age 6 years.

METHOD

A cohort of 4 year old chidren (615) was investigated with respect to SDB [B. Löfstrand-Tideström, B. Thilander, J. Ahlqvist-Rastad, O. Jakobsson, E. Hultcrantz, Breathing obstruction in relation to craniofacial and dental arch morphology in 4 year old children, Eur. J. Orthod. 21 (1999) 323-332]. Each child was given a questionnaire. Those reporting significant symptoms also received a clinical and an orthodontic examination. Forty-eight children were diagnosed with SDB; of these 28 were operated with adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. After 2 years, the same questionnaire was administered and the same children as before were further examined as well as those newly reporting significant symptoms. The results from the two occasions were compared.

RESULTS

Eighty-three percent (509) of the original cohort participated. The frequency of snoring had changed from 53 to 46% for the group as a whole (p<0.05). Significant gender differences in co-founding symptoms were seen. Severity of snoring had changed on an individual basis in half of the cases; some recovered, others got worse. Of the children with SDB at 4 years who were operated, 14/28, did not snore at all, compared to 3/18 of the non-operated (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Children who snore at the age 4 seldom "grow out of it" by age 6 and still show other signs of sleep related distress as well. Surgery does not always cure the snoring, thus postoperative follow-up is important. Since new cases develop during this age period, early intervention is not enough.

A Review of the Effects of Expansion of the Nasal Base on Nasal Airflow and Resistance

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to inform the reader of the current literature regarding nasal airflow resistance. The anatomy and physiology of nasal airflow resistance will be examined and the known effects of widening of the nasal airway upon airflow will be described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This article is a review of the current literature regarding nasal airflow and resistance and the effects of widening of the nasal base. No patient data were collected.

RESULTS

The literature shows that nasal airflow resistance can be changed by surgical manipulation and by rapid palatal expansion, but that the effects on airflow resistance and future growth and development are unpredictable.

CONCLUSION

Patients with a maxilla that is constricted in the transverse dimension and nasal airflow problems may benefit from expansion of the nasal base. The resultant effects upon nasal airflow resistance and subsequent growth and development are unpredictable and therefore airflow issues alone may not be a primary reason to increase the transverse dimension of the nasal base.

Pediatric Tonsillotomy with Radiofrequency Technique: Long-Term Follow-Up

OBJECTIVES

Compare the effects of partial tonsil resection using a radiofrequency technique, tonsillotomy (TT), with total tonsillectomy (TE, blunt dissection) after 1 and 3 years. Compare frequency of relapse in snoring or infections and possible long-term changes in behavior among TT children with those in TE children.

METHOD

Ninety-two children (5-15 yr) randomized to TT (n = 49) or TE (n = 43) groups because of obstructive problems with or without recurrent tonsillitis. One year after surgery, general health, degree of obstruction, history of infections, and behavior were investigated using two questionnaires, the Qu1 and Child Behavior Checklist, as well as an ENT visit. After 3 years, two questionnaires, Qu2 and the Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory, were answered by mail.

RESULTS

: After 1 year, both groups were in good health. The effect on snoring and total behavior was the same for both groups, and the rate of recurrence of infections was not higher in the TT group. After 3 years, two children in the TT group were tonsillectomized (4%, 2/49), one because of peritonsillitis and another because of increased snoring. Otherwise, no differences existed between the groups in general health, snoring, or number of infections.

CONCLUSION

Removing only the protruding parts of the tonsils has the same beneficial long-term effect on obstructive symptoms and recurrent throat infections as complete TE in the majority of cases. The need for re-operation is low; therefore, it appears inadvisable to follow the current common practice of routinely removing the whole tonsil given its higher morbidity and risk for serious complications.

Myofunctional evaluation after surgery for tonsils hypertrophy and its correlation to breathing pattern: a 2-year-follow up

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the myofunctional status in children submitted to adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy, correlating the pre and post-surgical patterns throughout a 24-month-period. To correlate the myofunctional alterations to the sort of surgery performed (adenoidectomy versus adenotonsillectomy) and to the predominant post-surgical breathing pattern (predominantly nasal versus allergic rhinitis).

METHODS

Forty children were assessed by the otorhinolaryngologist and speech therapist before and 1-24 months after surgery. In order to evaluate myofunctional status, a pre-structured protocol was designed, which included observations regarding facial posture, tonicity, mastication, deglutition and respiration. A score from 0 (normal pattern) to 12 (highly altered) was set.

RESULTS

There was a partial, but progressive decrease of the score after surgery (p < 0.001). This decrease was markedly observed during the first 6 months following surgical procedure (p < 0.001), after which it was no longer significant. There was no correlation between the myofunctional progress and the sort of surgery performed. The myofunctional improvement was more accentuated in nasal breathers when compared to those with allergic rhinitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement of myofunctional status seems to be observed in children after surgery. In this study, the improvement was predominantly accomplished during the first 6 months following surgical procedure. Persistent pattern of mouth breathing due to allergic rhinitis may difficult recovery of the myofunctional status. The most adequate post-surgical moment for the otorhinolaryngologist to refer the patient to speech therapist for myofunctional therapy seems to be crucial, as well as the recognition by the speech therapist of the persistence of the obstructive symptoms, re-referring this patient to the physician.

Breathing mode influence in craniofacial development

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in facial proportions of nose and mouth breathing children using cephalometric analysis.

STUDY DESIGN

Transversal cohort.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Sixty cephalometric radiographs from pediatric patients aged 6 to 10 years were used. After otorhinolaryngological evaluation, patients were divided into two groups: Group I, with mouth breathing children and group II, with nose breathers. Standard lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained to evaluate facial proportions using the following measures: SN.GoGn, ArGo.GoMe, N-Me, N-ANS, ANS-Me and S-Go; and the following indexes: PFH-AFH ratio: S-Go/N-Me; LFH-AFH ratio: ANS-Me/N-Me and UFH-LFH ratio: N-ANS/ANS-Me.

RESULTS

It was observed that the measurements for the inclination of the mandibular plane (SN.GoGn) in mouth breathing children were statistically higher than those in nasal breathing children. The posterior facial height was statistically smaller than the anterior one in mouth breathing children (PFH-AFH ratio). Thus, the upper anterior facial height was statistically smaller than the lower facial height (UFH-LFH ratio).

CONCLUSION

We concluded that mouth breathing children tend to have higher mandibular inclination and more vertical growth. These findings support the influence of the breathing mode in craniofacial development.

Influência do padrão respiratório na morfologia craniofacial

OBJETIVO: este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar por meio de análise cefalométrica as diferenças nas proporções faciais de crianças respiradoras bucais e nasais. FORMA DE ESTUDO: coorte transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram selecionadas 60 crianças entre 6 e 10 anos que, após avaliação otorrinolaringológica para o diagnóstico do tipo de respiração, foram divididas em dois grupos: grupo I, constituído de crianças respiradoras bucais, com elevado grau de obstrução das vias aéreas e grupo II, composto de crianças respiradoras nasais. Os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação ortodôntica por meio de radiografias cefalométricas em norma lateral, a fim de avaliar as proporções faciais, através das seguintes medidas cefalométricas: SN.GoGn, ArGo.GoMe, N-Me, N-ENA, ENA-Me, S-Go, S-Ar, Ar-Go; e os seguintes índices: iAF=S-Go / N-Me, iAFA=ENA-Me / N-Me e iPFA=N-ENA / ENA-Me. RESULTADO: Foi constatada que a inclinação do plano mandibular (SN.GoGn) nos pacientes respiradores bucais foi estatisticamente maior que nos respiradores nasais, enquanto que a proporção da altura facial posterior e anterior (iAF), e da altura facial anterior superior e inferior (iPFA) foram estatisticamente menores nos pacientes bucais, indicando altura facial posterior menor que a anterior e altura facial anterior inferior aumentada nesses pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: Pode-se concluir, então, que os respiradores bucais tendem a apresentar maior inclinação mandibular e padrão de crescimento vertical, evidenciando a influência da função respiratória no desenvolvimento craniofacial.

Cephalometric assessment of the mandibular growth pattern in mouth-breathing children

OBJECTIVE

At the present time, it is generally accepted that chronic mouth breathing influences craniofacial growth and development. The objective of this study was to determine the position of the jaw, its growth direction and morphology, and the facial proportions of children with two different etiological factors of mouth breathing, at different age groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four groups of mouth breathing children were analyzed by cephalometry. Two groups, ages ranging from 3 to 6 and 7 to 10 years, with respiratory obstruction due to isolated adenoid hypertrophy (AH), and two groups, ages ranging from 3 to 6 and 7 to 10 years, due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH).

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between mouth breathing children caused either by AH or by ATH in any of the age groups. Only the linear Ar-Go measurement was significantly larger in children with ATH with 7 years or more.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the influence of mouth breathing on mandibular growth is poorly related to the etiological factors analyzed. The single difference observed was the lower posterior facial height in children of 7 years of age or more, which was higher in those with ATH than in those with AH.

Tonsillectomy--clinical consequences twenty years after surgery?

Tonsillectomy (T) is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on children. Long-term follow-up studies concerning its consequences are lacking. This study is the first study done on a group of patients that underwent T in their childhood, about 20 years ago. The investigation is a cohort study, which followed-up 18 patients who were tonsillectomized 20 years ago. It was to be determined whether these subjects suffer from more respiratory tract infections (or other infections) today, than people who are not tonsillectomized. A group of 54 age-matched subjects were selected for comparison. A questionnaire was mailed to the study population. No significant differences were found between the groups in the frequency of upper respiratory tract infection (URI). The mean number of URI's was approximately [MSOffice1]2.5 per year in both groups. The duration of the URI's was identical in each group. A high temperature was present to the same extent in each group. Absence from work, number of visits to physicians and the use of antibiotics were the same in each group. However, the prevalence of chronic disease was greater in the T-group than in the comparison group. The difference was significant with a Relative Risk of 9.41 and a Confidence Interval differing from 1 (1.13<RR<78.14) for the T-population to develop chronic disease. Because of the small number of the present study population, the results must be validated by further immunological and epidemiological studies on long-term effects of tonsillectomy.

Muscular, functional and orthodontic changes in pre school children with enlarged adenoids and tonsils

INTRODUCTION

Hypertrophy of the adenoids and palatine tonsils is the second most frequent cause of upper respiratory obstruction and, consequently, mouth breathing in children. Prolonged mouth breathing leads to muscular and postural alterations which, in turn, cause dentoskeletal changes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine muscular, functional and dentoskeletal alterations in children aged 3-6 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-three children, including 44 with tonsil hypertrophy and 29 controls, were submitted to otorhinolaryngologic, speech pathologic and orthodontic assessment.

RESULTS

Otorhinolaryngologic evaluation revealed a higher incidence of nasal obstruction, snoring, mouth breathing, apneas, nocturnal hypersalivation, itchy nose, repeated tonsillitis and bruxism in children with tonsils hypertrophy. Speech pathologic assessment showed a higher incidence of open lip and lower tongue position, and of hypotonia of the upper and lower lips, tongue and buccinator muscle in these children, accompanied by important impairment in mastication and deglutition. Orthodontic evaluation demonstrated a higher incidence of lower mandible position in relation to the cranial base, a reduction in lower posterior facial height, transverse atresia of the palate, and a dolicofacial pattern.

CONCLUSION

Postural and functional alterations anticipate dentoskeletal changes, except for the facial pattern. Postural alterations and the skeletal pattern seem to play an important role in infant dentofacial growth.

Absence of facial type differences among preschool children with sleep-related breathing disorder

The aim of this study was to find out whether there are specific facial types and a specific hyoid bone position in preschool children with sleep-related breathing disorder (SBD). A total of 69 children were divided into 4 groups based on the mandibular line/Frankfurt horizontal angle and apnea index. There were 19 children with hyperdivergent facial type and SBD and 19 children with neutral facial type and SBD, all of them with documented 0 < AI < 5. Ten children had hyperdivergent facial type and non-SBD, and 21 children neutral facial type and non-SBD. The present findings show that SBD may be associated with both hyperdivergent and neutral facial type. Furthermore, we could not find any specific hyoid bone position related to SBD, non-SBD, or to facial type. In conclusion, it is important to note that while evaluation based on facial type (mandibular shape or position) does not necessarily distinguish between children with SBD and children without SBD (non-SBD), important differences are found in the pharynx. Short nasal floor length, long soft palate, and particularly short upper pharyngeal width can be considered indicators of SBD.

Sex-dependent differences in the craniofacial morphology of children with a sleep-related breathing disorder

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article was to compare the craniofacial morphology and hyoid bone position of preschool girls and boys with sleep-related breathing disorder (SBD).

STUDY DESIGN

The control groups consisted of girls and boys without ear, nose, and throat disorders. After lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken, the children were selected on the basis of the head position in relation to the true horizontal. Thirty-eight cephalometric variables were determined. RESULTS The findings indicate that boys with SBD had a larger anterior lower facial height and a more anterior hyoid bone position than girls with SBD. However, the distance between the third cervical vertebra and the hyoid bone was a constant value among girls and boys with SBD. Girls with SBD had a sagittally narrower pharyngeal airway space than boys with SBD.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that boys with SBD have a skeletal risk factor, whereas girls with SBD have an airway risk factor. In conclusion, the difference in risk factors may have some bearing on the greater incidence of SBD in both boys and men.

Evidence for persistence of upper airway narrowing during sleep, 12 years after adenotonsillectomy

AIMS

To establish whether subjects with previous evidence of sleep apnoea prior to adenotonsillectomy continue to have evidence of narrower upper airways during sleep, 12 years later.

METHODS

Twenty subjects (median age 16 years) underwent repeat sleep studies at home, 12 years after such studies had shown significant sleep apnoea in many of them prior to an adenotonsillectomy. Twenty control subjects, also studied 12 years ago, underwent repeat home sleep studies as well. The sleep studies provided information on snoring, hypoxia, and inspiratory effort (from measures of pulse transit time). A questionnaire was also administered, the subjects were weighed, and their heights measured.

RESULTS

There was more reported snoring in the previous adenotonsillectomy group (50% versus 20%) and also during the sleep study (80 versus 31 snores per hour). The measure of inspiratory effort overnight was higher in the previous adenotonsillectomy group (15.6 versus 12.3 ms). Allowance for potentially confounding variables (obesity and nasal congestion) partially reduced the statistical significance of the difference in snoring, but not that of the measure of inspiratory effort.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that a narrower upper airway during sleep, to the point of snoring, persists 12 years after adenotonsillectomy, and may partly account for the occurrence earlier of preoperative sleep apnoea while adenotonsillar hypertrophy was present. It is not known if this narrowing is one of the risk factors for later development of adult sleep apnoea.

Changes in orofacial muscle activity in response to changes in respiratory resistance

Increased resistance in the upper airway is known to be a contributing factor to deviant facial growth patterns. These patterns are the result of a prolonged presence of unbalanced oropharyngeal muscle activity. We hypothesized that mechanically increasing airway resistance would enhance the activity of the muscles facilitating respiration, and we attempted to demonstrate that the increased muscle activity is modulated by mechanoreceptors in the pharyngeal airway. The response of oropharyngeal muscles to increased airway resistance during spontaneous breathing was observed in 11 rabbits. Electromyographic signals from the ala nasi, orbicularis oris superior, genioglossus, mylohyoid muscles, and the diaphragm were recorded by fine-wire electrodes. Pressure changes were monitored by pressure transducers at the side branch of the cannule close to openings for the nose and the trachea. The study consisted of 2 experimental sessions. First, to evoke the response of muscles to the inspiratory resistance, increasing stepwise polyethylene tubes of various diameters were attached to the nasal and tracheal opening and the diameter of the tubes was gradually reduced. Muscle activity changes in response to the increased resistance were recorded during spontaneous nasal or tracheal breathing. Second, to examine muscle responses to negative pressure to the pharyngeal airway, irrespective of breathing activity, the pharynx was isolated as a closed circuit by a stoma constructed at a more caudal side in the trachea. Muscle responses to the negative pressure generated by a syringe in the pharyngeal segment were measured. Nasal breathing induced a greater muscle activity than did tracheal breathing, in general, at P <.05. When resistance was gradually increased, nasal breathing resulted in a greater increase in muscle activity than did tracheal breathing (P <.05), except in the diaphragm. Application of negative pressure to the isolated pharyngeal airway segment increased the muscle activity significantly (P <.05). We conclude that an increased airway resistance may facilitate oropharyngeal muscle activity through mechanoreceptors in the oropharyngeal airway.

Infant oral health and oral habits

Many oral diseases and conditions, including dental caries (cavities) and malocclusions, have their origins early in life. Prudent anticipatory guidance by the medical and dental professions can help prevent many of the more common oral health problems. This article provides information on the rationale for early dental examination and instructions for pediatric and family practitioners in scheduling and conducting an early oral intervention appointment. In addition, feeding practices, non-nutritive sucking, mouth breathing, and bruxing are discussed, including their effects on orofacial growth and development.

Children with nocturnal upper airway obstruction: postoperative orthodontic and respiratory improvement

Twenty children, aged 4-9 years, underwent adeno/tonsillectomy because of unequivocal anamnestic nocturnal obstructive breathing. Preoperatively, apnea-hypopnea index was > 5 in 10 cases only, AI > 1 in 17. Nineteen children had signs of increased respiratory labour in movement recordings and inspiratory EMG-activity. Oxygen desaturation index was 0 in 7 children, and nadir SaO2 was > or = 90% in 10. Cephalometry and dentition study models initially revealed significant changes, chiefly lateral cross-bite (n = 11) and vertical growth direction of the mandible. Tonsillar size or duration of disease was not correlated with the severity of polysomnographic findings, nor were orthodontic variables. Symptoms disappeared promptly postoperatively. After one year, respiratory recordings were normalized or improved in the majority of children, and orthodontic variables normalized or improved in all children.

CONCLUSION

Oximetry and airflow recordings may be normal in children who benefit from treatment of anamnestic nocturnal obstruction. Craniofacial deformities are common and improve significantly with surgical treatment of the airway obstruction.

Body growth in relation to tonsillar enlargement

Severe airway obstruction caused by tonsillar enlargement can result in disturbances in body growth. In this study, 1136 children between 7 and 12 years of age, were evaluated and the size of their tonsils was investigated with regard to height and weight. This study was performed in the course of school screening, and correlation between estimated tonsil size and height and weight of the children was sought. Statistically, no such correlation was found (P > 0.05).

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Changing indications

Obstructive sleep apnea and upper airway obstruction (even without complete apnea) from adenotonsillar hypertrophy is either occurring more frequently or is becoming better recognized. Tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy is indicated for these children. Most patients who would benefit from surgery can be identified by a thorough history and physical examination. Occasionally, additional methods of evaluation, such as lateral neck radiographs or polysomnograms, are helpful. The indications for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are varied. No review can cogently encompass all clinical scenarios. Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy remain valuable procedures for carefully selected patients.

The epidemiology of sleep related breathing disorder in children

An epidemiological study of sleep obstruction and its orthodontic consequences is under way on a cohort (500) of 4-year-old children. The parents are asked about the child's snoring, sleep apnea, sucking habits, infections and 'genetic clues'. Dental casts have been made from the first 100 children and the group of children who snore are being compared to the non-snorers. A sleep study, a lateral cephalogram and dental casts are done on all snorers in the cohort. Preliminary results show that 6.2% snore every night by age 4 and another 18% when infected. More children use pacifiers among the snorers than in the non-snoring group (60% vs. 35%). Tonsillar angina is 3 times more common in the snorer group and twice as many of their parents have been adenoidectomized (A) and/or tonsillectomized (T). The dental casts show a significant difference in width of the maxilla and length of the mandible. The children are treated for their breathing obstruction with A or A+T. Two years later, the same cohort will be examined again. The prevalence of snoring and sleep apnea among 4-year-olds will be known as will whether and how treatment for breathing obstruction influences facial development.

Body growth in relation to tonsillar enlargement and tonsillectomy

Severe airway obstruction caused by tonsillar enlargement can result in disturbances in body growth. The effect of this interference and of tonsillectomy in the child with only moderate symptoms have been less satisfactoril evaluated. In this study, 122 children with symptoms and signs of tonsillar obstruction were investigated concerning the height and weight before and after tonsillectomy. None of the individuals demonstrated cardiopulmonary complications of tonsillar obstruction. Altogether 10% of the children exhibited abnormalities in body weight and/or length prior to surgery. Especially during the first postoperative year, the weight and height gain exceeded the expected in 75% of the patients. The accelerated weight gain increased with tonsil size, but there was no relation to the extent of difficulties in swallowing or sleeping disruptions. The results support the hypothesis that tonsillar hypertrophy frequently is associated with disturbances in body growth and that this is seldom demonstrable prior to tonsillectomy.