Quantitative Assessment of the Pharyngeal Recess Morphometry in Anatolian Population Using 3D Models Generated from Multidetector Computed Tomography Images

Abstract

Aim: It was aimed to analyze the detailed morphometry of the pharyngeal recess (PR) using three-dimensional (3D) models reconstructed from multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).
 Material and Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis and performed on MDCT images of 97 patients (43 males, 54 females). 3D models of the PR were reconstructed using 3D Slicer software, enabling morphometric measurements according to established protocols. Measurements included PR depths, distances between the posterior nasal spine and torus levatorius (PNS-TL), distances between right and left TL (RTL-LTL) distances between the PNS and posterior wall of the nasopharynx (PNS-PWN), the angle (α) between the centerline of the PR and the sagittal plane. The morphologies of the PR classified into three types.
 Results: The average measurements for the parameters were as follows: PR depth - 10.42 mm, distance between PNS and TL - 10.40 mm, distance between RTL and LTL - 19.13 mm, distance between PNS and PWN - 19.92 mm, and the angle (α) - 53.65°. The prevalence of PR types were 20.62%, 47.42% and 31.96% for type 1, type 2 and type 3, respectively.
 Conclusion: Variations in reported measurements of the pharyngeal recess can be attributed to imaging techniques, patient positioning, anatomical differences, and sample sizes. The use of 3D models generated from MDCT datasets offers a high-resolution and comprehensive approach to understanding the PR's morphometry and spatial relationships, enabling accurate measurements and advancing our knowledge of this anatomical region.