HOW DEEP DO YOU GO? CLINICAL PREDICTION OF NASOPHARYNGEAL DEPTH BASED ON
FACIAL MEASUREMENTS
Abstract
Objectives: Nasopharyngeal (NP) depth prediction is clinically relevant
in performing medical procedures, and enhancing technique precision and
safety for patients. Nonetheless, clinical predictive variables and
normative data in adults remain limited. This study aimed to determine
normative data on NP depth and its correlation to external facial
measurements. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study obtained data
from adults presenting to otolaryngology clinics at five sites in
Canada, Italy, and Spain. Investigators compared the endoscopically
measured depth from sill to nasopharynx along the nasal floor to the
facial measurements “curved distance from the alar-facial groove along
the face to the tragus” and “distance from the tragus to a plane
perpendicular to the philtrum.” When sinus CT images were available,
the distance from the nasopharynx to nasal sill was also collected.
Results: 371 patients participated in the study (41% women; 51 years
old, SD 18). The average endoscopic depth was 9.4 cm (SD 0.86) and 10.1
cm (SD 0.9) for women and men, respectively (p<0.001; 95% CI
0.46 to 0.86). Perpendicular distance was strongly correlated to NP
depth (r=0.775; p<0.001), with an average underestimation of
0.1 cm (SD 0.65; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.2). The equation: ND(cm) =
perpendicular distance*0.773 + 2.344, generated from 271 randomly
selected participants, and validated on 100 participants, resulted in a
0.03 cm prediction error (SD 0.61; 95% CI -0.08 to 0.16). Conclusions:
Nasopharyngeal depth can be accurately approximated by the distance from
the tragus to a plane perpendicular to philtrum. The generated
predictive equation was most accurate but not likely clinically
relevant.