Obstructive sleep apnea attack in complex craniosynostosis.

For treatment of patients with complex craniosynostosis, increased intracranial pressure, severe exophthalmos, and apnea attacks are important indications for operative intervention. Little has been reported on obstructive sleep apnea in complex craniosynostosis. Obstructive sleep apnea attacks in complex craniosynostosis are evaluated in relation to the upper and middle pharyngeal space and to the dimensions of the maxilla and mandible measured on cephalograms. The value of the pharyngeal air space in craniosynostosis had no relationship with either the frequency of sleep apnea attack or with severity of snoring. The dimensions had a close relationship with obstructive sleep apnea attack.