ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the relationship of adenoid and upper airway morphology with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in children, and to observe the efficacy of predicting OSAHS. Methods: Totally 109 children aged 1-10 years who received nasopharyngeal CT volume scanning were enrolled and divided into OSAHS group (n=20) and non-OSAHS group (n=89). After 3D reconstruction of all CT images, the shape and size of adenoid and the morphology of upper airway (including nasopharyngeal volume, nasal space, airway narrowest area, upper and lower diameter as well as left and right diameter) were evaluated. The shape and size of adenoid and the morphology of upper airway were compared between 2 groups, the relationships with OSAHS were analyzed, and the efficacy of combination of which for predicting OSAHS were evaluated. Results: Statistical differences of nasopharyngeal volume, nasal space, upper airway narrowest area, upper and lower diameters and left and right diameters (t=2.07, 4.55, 3.96, 3.62, 3.48, all P<0.05), also of adenoid hypertrophy and adenoid morphology (χ2=24.43, 12.94, both P<0.05) were found between 2 groups. Adenoid hypertrophy and OSAHS were more likely to occur in children with smaller nasal space, airway narrowest area and left and right diameter. Adenoid hypertrophy was a risk factor for OSAHS. The AUC, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of combination of adenoid and upper airway morphology in prediction of OSAHS was 0.91, 90.00%, 79.78% and 81.65%, respectively. Conclusion: Adenoid hypertrophy is a risk factor of OSAHS. Combination of adenoid and upper airway morphology has good efficacy for predicting OSAHS in children.