Computer analysis of th cephalometric parameters on radiographs from patients with obstructive sleep apnoea

ABSTRACT

This research utilized computer image analysis to study radiographic cephalometric parameters of both skeletal-and soft-tissues in order to compare the parameters in male obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] patients with those in normal male subjects within the same age range. In addition, histological picture of soft palate biopsies from OSA patients was compared with that from normal subjects. The cephalometric parameters showed statistically significant differences in OSA from normal persons. A histological examination revealed that swelling of soft palate in OSA was not due to fat accumulation, but there were observed histological evidences of increased secretory glandular activity, interstitial edema and cellular infiltration