[Features of sleependoscopy in children].

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Sleep Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant health concern in children.
• Accurate identification of airway obstruction is crucial for effective treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the methodology of sleep endoscopy in pediatric patients.
• To establish the primary indications for performing sleep endoscopy in children.
• To correlate sleep endoscopy findings with polysomnography results.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 35 children (average age 5 years 1 month) underwent polysomnography and sleep endoscopy.
• Sleep endoscopy was utilized to visualize the upper airway during sleep.

Main Results:

• Polysomnography indicated OSA severity: 21 severe, 8 moderate, 6 mild.
• In unoperated children, adenoids and palatine tonsils were the most frequent obstruction sites (approx. 70%).
• In post-surgical patients, residual obstruction often involved the soft palate and palatine tonsils. Other identified causes included hypertrophic tori tubarii and lingual tonsil hypertrophy.

Conclusions:

• Sleep endoscopy is a safe and valuable diagnostic tool for pediatric OSA.
• The procedure accurately localizes airway obstruction, aiding in surgical decision-making.
• It helps determine the optimal surgical approach for children with OSA.