B.Holly Broadbent

Cephalometric assessment in obstructive sleep apnea

It is reported that some specific craniofacial characteristics are associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). To test this finding, the present study developed and assessed the feasibility of a craniofacial index score (CIS) in differentiating patients with OSAS from habitual snorers. Anthropometric measurements and lateral head radiographs were obtained on 24 male and 4 female patients with OSAS who had physician-diagnosed OSAS (respiratory disturbance index (RDI) >20), and 25 male and 5 female habitual snorers (RDI <20). Thirteen cephalometric and four anthropometric measure- ments were used in a discriminant model to construct the CIS. The model was able to correctly classify 82.1% of the OSAS group and 86.7% of the snoring group. In addition, variables that were related to the soft tissues, hyoid bone to mandibular plane, Body Mass Index, and soft palate length had the highest predictive value. These findings indicate that a CIS constructed from cephalometric and anthropometric measurements can be used to identify subjects with and without OSAS.

Soft tissue growth of the oropharynx

The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of bony and soft tissue growth of the oropharynx in a sample of healthy, orthodontically untreated children. The sample consisted of 16 males and 16 females with lateral cephalograms at 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 years of age, for a total of 160 lateral cephalometric radiographs. All subjects were enrolled in the Broadbent Bolton Study and their radiographs were used to produce the Bolton Standard Templates. Each radiograph was traced by hand and the tracings were paired and averaged to create a standard template for pharyngeal tissues at each age. In addition, all 160 tracings were digitized and means and standard deviations were calculated for 29 hard and 7 soft tissue measurements. Four linear (Ar-H,S-H,Go-H, Gn-H) and three angular (N-S-H, SN-ArH,GoGn-H) measurements demonstrated that the hyoid bone descends and moves slightly anteriorly up to age 18. The soft palate (PNS-P) increased 1 mm in length and 0.5 mm in thickness every 3 years after age 9. The distance between the anterior border of the atlas (ATA) and PNS did not change after age 12, while two soft tissue measurements (PNS-pharyngeal wall [PhW2] and posterior soft palate to pharyngeal wall [psp-PhW3]) increased. In general, two periods of accelerated change (6-9 years and 12-15 years) and two periods of quiescence (9-12 years and 15-18 years) were identified for the pharyngeal soft tissues. Further studies are needed to determine in soft tissues in the oropharynx continue to change after age 18.

The Broadbent-Bolton Growth study—past, present, and future*

A computerized database of 14 textual elements has been created to describe the 4309 subjects enrolled in the Broadbent-Bolton Growth Study. The database can be searched by using Boolean operators to select subsets of subjects matched on the 14 data elements. The structure of the database, along with representative tables and charts of the data, is presented to aid researchers contemplating use of the collection for scientific investigation.

The brush inquiry: An opportunity to investigate health outcomes in a well‐characterized cohort

The Brush Inquiry was conducted in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1926–1942 to longitudinally document the growth and development of healthy children and adults. The Brush population was a heterogenous group with a broad representation of racial and socioeconomic groups. Data collection included radiographs of several parts of the body; motor, mental, and psychological tests; health, nutrition, and prenatal history; body measurements and family history. The early results of the inquiry were used to establish standards for normal childhood growth and development. Today, many of these subjects (88%) are in the age range of 60–80, facilitating the continuity of the inquiry to study early indicators for later health outcomes. This article reviews the origins of the inquiry, characteristics of the population, and the prospects for future research using this cohort. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 12:1–9, 2000.

The Council on Dental Education and the American Board of Orthodontics

Abstract 1. 1. Definition .—Dentofacial abnormalities include: 1.1. a. Malocclusion of the teeth. 1.2. b. Facial abnormalities and deformities due to mal-growth and/or malrelation of the jaws. 1.3. c. Clefts of the face, lips, and palate. 2. 2. Prevalence .—Conservative estimates indicate that fully 50 per cent of children and youth have some malocclusion and/or dentofacial abnormality which interferes in some degree with function, facial esthetics, and health of the oral structures. Of the foregoing, 20 per cent suffer markedly because of interference with mastication, health of the oral tissues, and facial appearance. The foregoing are frequently associated with personality adjustment, difficulties due to a feeling of inadequacy and “appearing different.” At the same time, the severity of the mental reaction of the affected child bears no direct relation to the severity of the condition present. 3. 3. Need .—The following should be extended and improved: 3.1. a. Knowledge on prevention. 3.2. b. Number of professional personnel available. 3.3. c. Facilities for prevention and treatment should be extended. 3.4. d. Educational information should be more widely distributed.

The demographics of Dr. Geoffrey Walker's cephalometric collection☆☆☆★★★♢♢♢

The Bolton-Brush Growth Study Center (BBGSC) at Case Western Reserve University recently acquired the radiographic collection of Geoffrey F. Walker, an orthodontist, anthropologist, and pioneer computer expert. Dr. Walkers culturally diverse collection on more than 1500 persons has added lateral and frontal cephalograms to the Bolton-Brush collection. In contrast to the longitudinal Bolton-Brush study, the Walker collection contains predominantly cross-sectional samples of various tribes and ethnic groups around the world. A computerized index (similar to the Bolton-Brush index) has been created for efficient access. The addition of this unique collection enhances the BBGSCs ability to serve as a resource for orthodontic students, researchers, and practitioners, as well as the physical anthropology community.