PMC4823498_01
PMC4823498_02
Axial-view computed tomography images from patient 1. (a) The narrowing of glossopharynx (blue double-headed arrows) evident before uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) was caused by the impression of large tonsils (asterisk). (b) The narrowing was enlarged transversely; however, the glossopharynx became narrower in the anteroposterior direction after UPPP (indicated by the number). The lines on midsagittal view indicate the level of the axial-view.
CRIOT2016-9378428.001.jpg
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fig1
Axial and sagittal images of the glossopharynx before (Figure 1(a)) and after (Figure 1(b)) UPPP in patient 1 were shown in Figure 1.
PMC4823498_03
Anterior-view three-dimensional computed tomography images from patient 1. (a) Bilateral large tonsils impressed on the glossopharyngeal airway from both sides (blue arrows) before uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). The gap between two arrows shows the airway (asterisk). (b) The airway was enlarged after UPPP. Nevertheless, the change in the volume of the airway (indicated by the number) was negligible.
CRIOT2016-9378428.002.jpg
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fig2
To provide a better understanding of these morphological changes, the anterior-view 3D CT images of the velopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal airway in patient 1 before (Figure 2(a)) and after (Figure 2(b)) UPPP were shown in Figure 2.
3D composite images before UPPP (blue) and after UPPP (yellow) from patient 1. Anterior view (a), left oblique view (b), and left lateral view (c). The 3D composite images were superimposed to visualize these morphological changes clearly.
CRIOT2016-9378428.003.jpg
PMC4823498_03_CRIOT2016-9378428.003.jpg
fig3
In addition, 3D composite images from before and after UPPP in patient 1 were also generated at an image workstation (ParaView , Kitware, Clifton Park, NY, USA). 3D images were adjusted for their opacities and displayed by superimposition in Figure 3.