Somnofluoroscopy, computed tomography, and cephalometry in the assessment of the airway in obstructive sleep apnoea.

Abstract

Background

Site of upper airway obstruction in obstructive apnoea and influence of sleep stage

“…In addition, the results obtained by static techniques such as cephalometry or CT scan do not provide information about UA dynamics. A discrepancy between static (lateral cephalometry, CT scan) and dynamic examinations of the UA (somnofluoroscopy) has been emphasized by PÉPIN et al [4]. These authors found an extension of airway collapse to the hypopharynx during somnofluoroscopy in 10 of 11 patients whereas CT scan did not show a reduction of this area in six of these patients.…”

The status of cephalometry in the prediction of non-CPAP treatment outcome in obstructive sleep apnea patients

“…The technique can produce lateral and transversal images as well as dynamic images of the craniofacial and upper airway anatomy [41]. More importantly, fluoroscopic images can be recorded during natural or drug induced sleep [40,42]. However it shares several limitations with cephalometric radiographs, including 2D analysis of 3D structures and exposure to ionizing radiation.…”

“…is the most common SDB disorder with an estimated prevalence in the United States of America of 10% among [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] year old men, 17% among 50-70 year old men, 3% among [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] year old women and 9% among 50-70 year old women [3]. OSAS is characterized by a recurrent partial or complete collapse of the upper airway during sleep.…”

Sleep apnoea syndrome in 2011: current concepts and future directions

“…Upper airway collapse is characteristic of OSA [46]. The overall mechanisms may be summarised as follows: ''upper airway collapse is initiated because the wakeful state provides compensatory neuronal activation of dilator muscles in an anatomically compromised collapsible pharynx; accordingly, when this activation is lost at sleep onset, the airway narrows and/or collapses'' [47].…”