ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acoustic pharyngometry is a relatively new noninvasive method that quantifies the geometrically complex oropharyngeal dimensions. We aimed this study to investigate the predictability and usefulness of acoustic pharyngometry in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We conducted a prospective clinical trial in consecutive 49 patients with snoring or sleep apnea. Polysomnography was used to determine whether the patient had OSA. All subjects were examined by acoustic pharyngometry in sitting, supine, and both lateral recumbent positions while awake with tidal breathing. Morphometric oral cavity measurements were obtained and the Kushida index was calculated for each patient. RESULTS: Upper-airway cross-sectional areas measured by acoustic pharyngometry were significantly smaller in patients with OSA than in subjects without OSA. Especially, the oropharyngeal junction area (OPJ) in supine position was the most prominent parameter to discriminate between them. CONCLUSION: Acoustic pharyngometry can be a clinically useful tool for localizing the upper-airway obstruction and for predicting obstructive sleep apnea.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acoustics , Diagnosis , Mouth , Polysomnography , Prospective Studies , Respiration , Sleep Apnea Syndromes , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive , Snoring , Supine PositionABSTRACT
Nasal polyp is an intractable condition usually associated with chronic hyperplastic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis. IL-4 is known to contribute to the inflammatory reaction by enhancing binding of inflammatory cells in the nasal polyp. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of roxithromycin (300 mg daily) and intranasal fluticasone spray (200 microgram daily ) in reducing symptoms of chronic sinusitis and polyp size and to compare pre - and post-treatment secretion of IL-4. Twenty-four patients with chronic sinusitis with nasal polyp and allergic rhinitis were selected and allocated into 3 groups ; roxythromycin, fluticasone propionate and combined use group. Statistically significant decrease in symptoms was observed in both the roxythromycin and fluticasone propionate groups. Significant improvement of rhinorrhea and postnasal drip was observed in the combined use group. The polyp size decreased significantly in all three groups. IL-4 secretion decreased significantly in the combined use group after treatment. Long term medication of roxithromycin and intranasal fluticasone spray were effective in reducing symptoms and polyp size in chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis. They were also effective in reducing IL-4.
Subject(s)
Humans , Diethylpropion , Interleukin-4 , Nasal Polyps , Polyps , Rhinitis , Roxithromycin , Sinusitis , FluticasoneABSTRACT
No abstract available.