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Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a severe form of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) that is strongly correlated with comorbidities, in which epiglottic collapse (EC) and other contributing factors are involved. Objectives To evaluate the occurrence of EC in OSA patients through drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and to determine the factors contributing to EC. Methods A retrospective study of 37 adult patients using medical history. Patients were assessed for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH) using reflux symptom index and reflux finding score (RFS); for OSA using polysomnography, and for airway collapse through DISE. An independent t-test was performed to evaluate risk factors, including the involvement of three other airway structures. Results Most EC patients exhibited trap door epiglottic collapse (TDEC) (56.8%) or pushed epiglottic collapse (PEC) (29.7%). Lingual tonsil hypertrophy, RFS, and respiratory effort-related arousal (RERA) were associated with epiglottic subtypes. Laryngopharyngeal reflux patients confirmed by RFS (t(25) = −1.32, p = 0.197) tended to suffer PEC; LTH was significantly associated (X2(1) = 2.5, p = 0.012) with PEC (odds ratio [OR] value = 44) in grades II and III LTH patients; 11 of 16 TDEC patients had grade I LTH. Pushed epiglottic collapse was more prevalent among multilevel airway obstruction patients. A single additional collapse site was found only in TDEC patients. Conclusion Laryngopharyngeal reflux causes repetitive acid stress toward lingual tonsils causing LTH, resulting in PEC with grade II or III LTH. Trap door epiglottic collapse requires one additional structural collapse, while at least two additional collapse sites were necessary to develop PEC. Respiratory effort-related arousal values may indicate EC.
RESUMO
Abstract Introduction: Knowledge of the site of obstruction and the pattern of airway collapse is essential for determining correct surgical and medical management of patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). To this end, several diagnostic tests and procedures have been developed. Objective: To determine whether drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) or Müller's maneuver (MM) would be more successful at identifying the site of obstruction and the pattern of upper airway collapse in patients with OSAS. Methods: The study included 63 patients (52 male and 11 female) who were diagnosed with OSAS at our clinic. Ages ranged from 30 to 66 years old and the average age was 48.5 years. All patients underwent DISE and MM and the results of these examinations were characterized according to the region/degree of obstruction as well as the VOTE classification. The results of each test were analyzed per upper airway level and compared using statistical analysis (Cohen's kappa statistic test). Results: There was statistically significant concordance between the results from DISE and MM for procedures involving the anteroposterior (73%), lateral (92.1%), and concentric (74.6%) configuration of the velum. Results from the lateral part of the oropharynx were also in concordance between the tests (58.7%). Results from the lateral configuration of the epiglottis were in concordance between the tests (87.3%). There was no statistically significant concordance between the two examinations for procedures involving the anteroposterior of the tongue (23.8%) and epiglottis (42.9%). Conclusion: We suggest that DISE has several advantages including safety, ease of use, and reliability, which outweigh MM in terms of the ability to diagnose sites of obstruction and the pattern of upper airway collapse. Also, MM can provide some knowledge of the pattern of pharyngeal collapse. Furthermore, we also recommend using the VOTE classification in combination with DISE.
Resumo Introdução: O conhecimento do local da obstrução e do padrão de colapso das vias respiratórias é essencial para determinar o tratamento cirúrgico e clínico corretos de pacientes com Síndrome de Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono (SAOS). Para este fim, vários testes e procedimentos de diagnóstico foram desenvolvidos. Objetivo: Determinar se a Endoscopia de Sono Induzido por Fármacos (DISE) ou Manobra de Müller (MM) seria mais bem-sucedida na identificação do local de obstrução e do padrão de colapso das vias respiratórias superiores em pacientes com SAOS. Método: O estudo incluiu 63 pacientes (52 do sexo masculino e 11 do sexo feminino) que foram diagnosticados com SAOS em nossa clínica. As idades variaram de 30 a 66 anos e a idade média foi de 48,5 anos. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a DISE e MM e os resultados destes exames foram caracterizados de acordo com a região/grau de obstrução, bem como a classificação VOTE. Os resultados de cada teste foram analisados de acordo com o nível das vias respiratórias superiores e comparados por análise estatística (teste estatístico kappa de Cohen). Resultados: Houve concordância estatisticamente significativa entre os resultados da DISE e MM para os procedimentos que envolvem configuração anteroposterior (73%), lateral (92,1%) e concêntrica (74,6%) do véu palatino. Os resultados da parte lateral da orofaringe também estavam em concordância entre os testes (58,7%). Os resultados da configuração lateral da epiglote estavam em concordância entre os testes (87,3%). Não houve concordância estatisticamente significativa entre os dois exames para os procedimentos que envolvem a parte anteroposterior da língua (23,8%) e epiglote (42,9%). Conclusão: Sugere-se que a DISE apresenta várias vantagens, como segurança, facilidade de uso e confiabilidade, que superam a MM em termos da capacidade de diagnosticar locais de obstrução e o padrão de colapso da via respiratória superior. O MM pode também fornecer algum conhecimento sobre o padrão de colapso da faringe. Além disso, recomendamos o uso da classificação VOTE em combinação com DISE.