Characterization of upper airway airflow dynamics in young adults with isolated Robin sequence: An exploratory investigation
Impaired upper airway dimension in adults with Isolated Robin Sequence (IRS) can alter airflow dynamics, increasing the risk of pharyngeal collapse and the onset of obstructive sleep apnea. This study aimed to characterize the upper airways of six young adults (20.83 ± 6.40 years) with IRS, using co...
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212426825000119 |
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| author | Maria Noel Marzano-Rodrigues Sergio Henrique Kiemle Trindade Ivy Kiemle Trindade-Suedam |
| author_facet | Maria Noel Marzano-Rodrigues Sergio Henrique Kiemle Trindade Ivy Kiemle Trindade-Suedam |
| author_sort | Maria Noel Marzano-Rodrigues |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Impaired upper airway dimension in adults with Isolated Robin Sequence (IRS) can alter airflow dynamics, increasing the risk of pharyngeal collapse and the onset of obstructive sleep apnea. This study aimed to characterize the upper airways of six young adults (20.83 ± 6.40 years) with IRS, using computational fluid dynamics. Upper airways of six patients were reconstructed using 3D segmentation, generating unstructured hybrid meshes with ≥4 million tetrahedral elements. Flow simulations at 15 l/min were solved using the realizable k-ε model and the finite volume method. Morphophysiological variables assessed were: total airway volumes, minimal cross-sectional areas, average pressure, velocity magnitude, wall shear stress, turbulent kinetic energy (k) production, and resistance. Airway volume corresponded to 29.32 ± 4.65 cm³ and minimal cross-sectional area was 1.00 ± 0.55 cm2. Pressure drop, airway resistance to airflow, velocity of the airflow and turbulent kinetic energy corresponded to 31.341 ± 15.837 Pa, 0.125 ± 0.063 (Pa s/ml), 1.882 ± 0.514 (m/s) and 0.152 ± 0.056 (m2/s2). The total airway volume exhibited a strong negative correlation with airway resistance (−0.899) and the inlet-to-outlet pressure drop (−0.899). The minimal cross-sectional area of the pharynx at the retroglossal level showed a strong negative correlation (−0.912) with the area-weighted average velocity magnitude of the airflow and with k production (−0.924). In conclusion, airway volume reduction and retroglossal obstruction in young adults with IRS are associated with altered fluid flow characteristics, including increased velocity magnitude, pressure drop, resistance, and turbulent kinetic energy production. These changes may increase the effort to breathe and predispose patients to sleep-disordered breathing. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9affaaaf32e94bf0af5145e0401bb465 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2212-4268 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-9affaaaf32e94bf0af5145e0401bb4652025-02-11T04:34:50ZengElsevierJournal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research2212-42682025-03-01152234239Characterization of upper airway airflow dynamics in young adults with isolated Robin sequence: An exploratory investigationMaria Noel Marzano-Rodrigues0Sergio Henrique Kiemle Trindade1Ivy Kiemle Trindade-Suedam2School of Medicine, Life and Health Science Institute, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, BrazilLaboratory of Physiology, Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo and Bauru School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, BrazilLaboratory of Physiology, Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo and Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Corresponding author. Rua Silvio Marchione 3-20, Laboratório de Fisiologia - Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, SP, CEP 17102-900, Bauru, Brazil.Impaired upper airway dimension in adults with Isolated Robin Sequence (IRS) can alter airflow dynamics, increasing the risk of pharyngeal collapse and the onset of obstructive sleep apnea. This study aimed to characterize the upper airways of six young adults (20.83 ± 6.40 years) with IRS, using computational fluid dynamics. Upper airways of six patients were reconstructed using 3D segmentation, generating unstructured hybrid meshes with ≥4 million tetrahedral elements. Flow simulations at 15 l/min were solved using the realizable k-ε model and the finite volume method. Morphophysiological variables assessed were: total airway volumes, minimal cross-sectional areas, average pressure, velocity magnitude, wall shear stress, turbulent kinetic energy (k) production, and resistance. Airway volume corresponded to 29.32 ± 4.65 cm³ and minimal cross-sectional area was 1.00 ± 0.55 cm2. Pressure drop, airway resistance to airflow, velocity of the airflow and turbulent kinetic energy corresponded to 31.341 ± 15.837 Pa, 0.125 ± 0.063 (Pa s/ml), 1.882 ± 0.514 (m/s) and 0.152 ± 0.056 (m2/s2). The total airway volume exhibited a strong negative correlation with airway resistance (−0.899) and the inlet-to-outlet pressure drop (−0.899). The minimal cross-sectional area of the pharynx at the retroglossal level showed a strong negative correlation (−0.912) with the area-weighted average velocity magnitude of the airflow and with k production (−0.924). In conclusion, airway volume reduction and retroglossal obstruction in young adults with IRS are associated with altered fluid flow characteristics, including increased velocity magnitude, pressure drop, resistance, and turbulent kinetic energy production. These changes may increase the effort to breathe and predispose patients to sleep-disordered breathing.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212426825000119Robin sequenceAirway obstruction3D imagingFluid dynamics |
| spellingShingle | Maria Noel Marzano-Rodrigues Sergio Henrique Kiemle Trindade Ivy Kiemle Trindade-Suedam Characterization of upper airway airflow dynamics in young adults with isolated Robin sequence: An exploratory investigation Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research Robin sequence Airway obstruction 3D imaging Fluid dynamics |
| title | Characterization of upper airway airflow dynamics in young adults with isolated Robin sequence: An exploratory investigation |
| title_full | Characterization of upper airway airflow dynamics in young adults with isolated Robin sequence: An exploratory investigation |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of upper airway airflow dynamics in young adults with isolated Robin sequence: An exploratory investigation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of upper airway airflow dynamics in young adults with isolated Robin sequence: An exploratory investigation |
| title_short | Characterization of upper airway airflow dynamics in young adults with isolated Robin sequence: An exploratory investigation |
| title_sort | characterization of upper airway airflow dynamics in young adults with isolated robin sequence an exploratory investigation |
| topic | Robin sequence Airway obstruction 3D imaging Fluid dynamics |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212426825000119 |
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