Airway changes in obstructive sleep apnoea patients associated with a supine versus an upright position examined using cone beam computed tomography. Issue 9 (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Camacho, M; Capasso, R; Schendel, S
• Is Part Of: Journal of laryngology & otology. Volume 128:Issue 9(2014)
• Page Start: 824
• Page End: 830
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215114001686
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2151

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="sec1"> <title>Objective:</title> <p>This study aimed to describe total volume and cross-sectional area measurement changes in obstructive sleep apnoea patients associated with a supine versus an upright position.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec2"> <title>Method:</title> <p>A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent cone beam computed tomography in upright and supine positions was performed, and the images were analysed.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec3"> <title>Results:</title> <p>Five obstructive sleep apnoea patients (all male) underwent both upright and supine cone beam computed tomography imaging. Mean age was 35.0 ± 9.3 years, mean body mass index was 28.1 ± 2.7 kg/m<sup>2</sup> and mean apnoea–hypopnoea index was 39.3 ± 23.0 per hour. The airway was smaller when patients were in a supine compared with an upright position, as reflected by decreases in the following airway measurements: total volume; posterior nasal spine, uvula tip, retrolingual and tongue base (not significant) cross-sectional areas; and site of the minimum cross-sectional area (of the overall airway). Total airway volume decreased by 32.6 per cent and cross-sectional area measurements decreased between 32.3 and 75.9 per cent when patients were in a supine position.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec4"> <title>Conclusion:</title> <p>In this case series, the airway of obstructive sleep apnoea patients was significantly smaller when patients were in a supine compared with an upright position.</p> </sec> </abstract>