Anatomic measures of upper airway structures in obstructive sleep apnea

摘要

Objective:Determine if anatomic dimensions of airway structures are associated with airway obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.Methods:Twenty-eight subjects with (n =14) and without (n =14) OSA as determined by clinical symptoms and sleep studies;volunteer sample.Skeletal and soft tissue dimensions were measured from radiocephalometry and magnetic resonance imaging.The soft palate thickness,mandibular plane-hyoid (MP-H) distance,posterior airway space (PAS) diameters and area,and tongue volume were calculated.Results:Compared to controls,the OSA group demonstrated a significantly longer MP-H distance (P =0.009) and shorter nasal PAS diameter (P =0.02).The PAS area was smaller (P =0.002) and tongue volume larger in the OSA group (P =0.004).The MP-H distance,PAS measurements,and tongue volume are of clinical relevance in OSA patients.Conclusions:A long MP-H distance,and small PAS diameters and area are significant anatomic measures in OSA;however the most substantial parameter found was a large tongue volume.