[The value of tonsil ultrasound measurement in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea].

Objective

This study cvaluates the application value of tonsillar ultrasound measurement in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea （OSA） by analyzing its correlation with key indicators of pediatric OSA.

Methods

Fifty-nine children diagnosed at Chongqing Peoples Hospital from July 2023 to July 2024 were included. Preoperative measurements included height, weight, BMI, tonsil grading, ultrasonic tonsil measurements, Obstructive Apnea Hypopnea Index（OAHI）, Lowest Pulse Oximetry（LSpO2）, and A/N ratio from lateral cephalometric radiographs. Postoperative tonsil volume was measured using the water displacement method. Ultrasonic measurements were compared with postoperative tonsil volume. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between the ratio of ultrasonic tonsil volume to pharyngeal cavity transverse diameter and OAHI/LSpO2.

Results

No significant difference was observed in ultrasonic measurements between tonsil grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4（P>0.05）, while significant differences were found between grades 1 and 3, grades 1 and 4, grades 2 and 3, grades 2 and 4（P<0.05）. Ultrasonic measurements showed no significant difference compared to postoperative tonsil volume（P>0.05）. A strong correlation was identified between ultrasonic measurements and OAHI/LSpO2.

Conclusion

Ultrasonic measurement of tonsil volume provides an objective and accurate assessment of tonsil size and pharyngeal cavity occupancy, offering critical guidance for clinical management strategies in pediatric OSA.