Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

Changes in upper airway size during tidal breathing in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Raanan Arens1, Sanghun Sin, Joseph M McDonough

  • 1Division of Pulmonary Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399, USA. arens@email.chop.edu

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|March 8, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) have significantly larger fluctuations in upper airway size during breathing compared to healthy children. This suggests airway instability may contribute to OSAS in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) affects children, impacting airway function.
  • Understanding upper airway dynamics during breathing is crucial for diagnosing and managing pediatric OSAS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate upper airway dynamics during tidal breathing in children with OSAS.
  • To compare airway cross-sectional area fluctuations between children with OSAS and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Respiratory-gated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess airway dimensions.
  • Airway cross-sectional area was measured at multiple levels during different phases of the respiratory cycle.
  • Studies were conducted in 10 children with OSAS and 10 matched controls under sedation.

Main Results:

  • Children with OSAS exhibited smaller upper airway cross-sectional areas, especially during inspiration.
  • Airway narrowing was observed during inspiration in OSAS, without complete collapse.
  • Significant differences in the magnitude of airway cross-sectional area fluctuations were found between OSAS and control groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Upper airway area fluctuations during tidal breathing are markedly greater in children with OSAS.
  • Resistive pressure loading is a likely cause, with increased airway compliance as a potential contributing factor.
  • These findings highlight airway instability as a key feature of pediatric OSAS.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management01:22

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management

Airway management is a key skill in emergency and critical care settings, as maintaining a clear airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and ventilation.Head Tilt-Chin Lift TechniqueThe head tilt-chin lift maneuver is an essential technique primarily used in patients without suspected cervical spine injuries. To perform this maneuver, one hand is placed on the patient’s forehead, and gentle pressure is applied backward to tilt the head. The fingertips of the other hand are positioned under...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation01:19

Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation

Besides the pressure difference between the external environment and the lungs, the airflow rate and ease of pulmonary ventilation are also influenced by three other factors: surface tension of the fluid in the alveoli, compliance of the lungs, and airway resistance.
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...