Carolina V.A. Guimaraes MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Maninder Kalra MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Lane F. Donnelly MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sally R. Shott MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Barbara A. Chini MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Raouf S. Amin MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Children with Down syndrome are described as having macroglossia as well as retrognathia. We reviewed anatomic parameters on MRI to determine if the children with Down syndrome have true macroglossia or just relatively large tongues as compared to the small size of their oral cavity.

On sagittal and axial MR images, parameters for tongue size (area in sagittal midline), bony craniofacial confines of retrogossal pharynx [distance between mandibular rami (left to right) and distance between posterior aspect of mental mandible and anterior aspect of spine (anterior-posterior)], and relative size of tongue compared to craniofacial bony parameters [tongue area / (left to right multiplied by anterior to posterior diameters)] were compared between 16 patients with Down syndrome and 16 age/gender matched controls.

The tongue area was statistically smaller in Down (2432 mm2) vs control (2767mm2) (p = 0.02). The craniofacial bony parameters were also smaller in Down vs Controls [left-right 69.8 vs 80.1mm, p <0.001; anterior-posterior 64.2 vs 74.9mm, p <0.001]. However the relative size of the tongue/craniofacial parameters was larger in the Down subjects (0.54) vs controls (0.46) (p<0.001).

Children with Down syndrome do not have true macroglossia but have relatively large tongues compared to the bony confines of the oral cavity. This may have implications in management of obstructive sleep apnea in children with Down syndrome.

Down syndrome is commonly thought to be associated with macroglossia but it is actually a relative macroglossia.

Guimaraes, C, Kalra, M, Donnelly, L, Shott, S, Chini, B, Amin, R, Do Children with Down Syndrome Have True or Relative Macroglossia?.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5001422.html