Ultrasonographic Assessment of Upper Airway Structures in Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review.

Background

Ultrasonography (US) has emerged as a non-invasive method for anatomical and functional evaluation of upper airway structures in adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, its role in severity stratification, dynamic assessment, elastographic characterization, and therapeutic monitoring remain to be investigated. Background/

Objectives

The goal herein is thus to systematically review and synthesize available evidence on US assessment in adults with OSA, including structural parameters, dynamic measurements, correlation with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), integration with artificial intelligence, and evaluation of myofunctional therapy outcomes.

Methods

A PRISMA-compliant systematic review of 19 studies (2007-2025) was conducted, evaluating US in adult patients with polysomnography-diagnosed OSA. Observational, pilot, case-control, and exploratory studies were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for observational studies. Due to methodological heterogeneity, a structured qualitative meta-analytic synthesis was performed.

Results

The tongue base was the most frequently studied structure. Increased tongue thickness, area, and stiffness were consistently associated with higher AHI. Elastography revealed increased intrinsic rigidity in patients with OSA. Dynamic US correlated with drug-induced sleep endoscopy findings and hyoid displacement. Machine learning integration improved severity prediction. A single study evaluated anatomical changes following myofunctional therapy, representing a nascent research area. US may become a complementary, non-invasive tool for anatomical and functional assessment of upper airway structures in adult OSA.

Conclusions

Further standardization of acquisition protocols and well-designed longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the clinical role of US in phenotyping and therapeutic monitoring.