Diagnosis of obstruction of the upper and central airways

Patients with obstruction of the upper airways are often treated for long periods of time for other disorders. Correct diagnosis is important since treatment is quite specific. Such patients may present with a characteristic history and findings on physical examination. Certain physiologic tests such as flow-volume loops with and without helium help to prove the diagnosis. Patients with upper airway obstruction may also have sleep apneas and the sleep deprivation syndrome. Methods of diagnosis of upper airway obstruction are presented and three instructive cases are reviewed.