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Published on: December 6, 2016
Digital Analysis of Upper Airway Morphology in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Yiyu Zeng1, Zhengrong Gao2, Yingjun Zhang3
1Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Introduction And Aims:
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is one of the most common sleep disorders, which poses a serious burden on the quality of life of the population. The incidence rate of OSAS in the population is very high and most cases have not been confirmed in time. In addition, many patients do not fully alleviate the symptoms of upper respiratory tract stenosis after receiving treatment. Therefore, OSAS patients need timely diagnosis and effective intervention.
Methods:
Basic clinical data and sleep breathing parameters were collected from OSAS patients diagnosed in the otolaryngology department. Subsequently, these patients underwent cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination in the stomatology department to screen upper airway parameters. Correlation analyses between awake upper airway characteristics and sleep breathing events were performed, culminating in the construction of a numerical upper airway assessment model for OSAS patients.
Results:
Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of CBCT images enabled direct visualization of upper airway anatomical morphology. The upper airway in OSAS patients demonstrated anatomical stenosis compared to healthy individuals, which correlated with alterations in sleep breathing parameters. The digital model, integrating sleep breathing parameters and upper airway measurements, effectively explained these variations.
Conclusion:
This numerical model, based on sleep breathing and upper airway characteristics, is primarily for early screening and risk stratification of OSAS. Validated in an otolaryngology setting, it guides referral for definitive diagnosis through polysomnography (PSG) and detailed clinical evaluation, within which its predictions must be interpreted.
