Anatomic measures of upper airway structures in obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE

Determine if anatomic dimensions of airway structures are associated with airway obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.

METHODS

Twenty-eight subjects with (n = 14) and without (n = 14) OSA as determined by clinical symptoms and sleep studies; volunteer sample. Skeletal and soft tissue dimensions were measured from radiocephalometry and magnetic resonance imaging. The soft palate thickness, mandibular plane-hyoid (MP-H) distance, posterior airway space (PAS) diameters and area, and tongue volume were calculated.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, the OSA group demonstrated a significantly longer MP-H distance (P = 0.009) and shorter nasal PAS diameter (P = 0.02). The PAS area was smaller (P = 0.002) and tongue volume larger in the OSA group (P = 0.004). The MP-H distance, PAS measurements, and tongue volume are of clinical relevance in OSA patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A long MP-H distance, and small PAS diameters and area are significant anatomic measures in OSA; however the most substantial parameter found was a large tongue volume.