[Cephalometric assessment in obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome]

Several cephalometric studies have been published to study sleep apnea and hypopnea. The purpose of this review is to provide a clear analysis of the different and apparently contradictory cephalometric results and to describe certain pitfalls of the method. In general, an excessive development of the tongue and soft palate are observed in these subjects, limiting the pharyngeal airway. Bony anomalies include mandibular retrognathism and an excessive anterior ventral development of the skull associated with insufficient anterior growth of the base of the skull. The head is held in extension. These different factors contribute to blocking the upper airway and favor pharyngeal collapse. Cephalometry can be used to identify patients at risk and to propose an apnea/hypopnea index for precise etiological diagnosis and therapeutic decision making.