Volumetric Analysis of Airway in Snoring Patients at Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Sleep Medicine
• Anatomy

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by breathing disruptions during sleep, leading to symptoms like daytime sleepiness and loud snoring.
• Polysomnography is the gold standard for OSA diagnosis but is resource-intensive.
• Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers a wide field of view for upper airway evaluation, serving as a potential adjunctive tool for OSA risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare upper airway dimensions in patients with snoring versus controls using CBCT.
• To assess the utility of CBCT as an adjunctive screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea.

Main Methods:

• Twenty patients were studied: 10 with snoring and 10 without.
• The Berlin questionnaire identified OSA risk levels.
• CBCT imaging was employed to measure airway dimensions, including oropharyngeal and mandibular structures.

Main Results:

• Nine out of ten snoring patients were identified as high risk for OSA.
• Snoring subjects exhibited significantly smaller oropharyngeal dimensions (A-P and lateral) and volume.
• Snoring individuals had a longer oropharynx, shorter mandibular length, and higher BMI compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• CBCT imaging reveals distinct differences in airway dimensions, volume, and mandibular morphology between individuals with and without snoring.
• These findings underscore the value of 3D imaging in identifying patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnea.