Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Conducting Respiratory Oscillometry in an Outpatient Setting
Published on: April 8, 2022
Questionnaire and nocturnal oxymetry in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy
P Contencin1, E Malorgio, S Noce
1Hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, AP-HP, université Paris, France. p.contencin@nck.aphp.fr
Objectives:
Draw up an evaluative approach to the diagnostic contribution of nocturnal oximetry associated with a parental questionnaire in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH).
Patients And Methods:
Analysis of a parental questionnaire on sleep patterns and oximetry recording made in children with ATH. The results of the oximetry were compared to the data gathered from the questionnaire.
Results:
Of the 342 children (age range, 3 months to 14 years), 209 permanent snorers, 115 occasional snorers, and 18 non-snorers were identified. The proportion of positive oximetry readings varied from 31.6 to 0% and the difference was significant between the first group and the two others (p<0.001). The data were correlated for four symptoms, including snoring and sleep apnea. The absence of snoring always gave a negative oximetry reading.
Conclusions:
In cases of ATH, a negative questionnaire can predict that oximetry will not be useful and if necessary advise for a polysomnography for an exclusion diagnosis. In contrast, a positive questionnaire followed by a positive oximetry argues in favor of the polysomnography not being useful.
Related Concept Videos
Tonsillitis I: Introduction
Etiology
Three primary contributing factors have been identified.
Tonsillitis II: Management
Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History
Subjective Data
Subjective data provides vital information about the patient's health history and symptoms. This data is typically collected through interviews in which patients describe their experiences, symptoms, and concerns.
Health history and key...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
