Study on measurements of upper airway in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome during natural sleep by cine magnetic resonance / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

ABSTRACT

[ABSTRACT]OBJECTIVETo assess the upper airway and related structures in different patterns of the upper airway obstruction on cine magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).METHODSCMR images of upper airway were obtained in 30 male patients with severe OSAHS during waking state and natural sleep. The midsagittal plane images were obtained. Patients were classified into 3 groups based on the upper airway obstruction patterns at apnea events and the reference data of the upper airway were measured.RESULTSDuring natural sleep, the diameter of retropalatal region, retroglossal region, retroepiglottic region and the length of suprahyoid muscles were significantly shorter than those during waking state (P<0.01). The maximum angle between the suprahyoid muscles and the apex of the tongue during natural sleep was significantly larger than that during waking state (P<0.01). During wakefulness, there was a significantly difference in the diameter of retropalatal region among 3 obstruction patterns (P<0.01). During natural sleep, there were statistical difference in the diameter of retropalatal region and the upper tongue, the angle between the hard palate and soft palate, the maximum angle between the suprahyoid muscles and the apex of the tongue, and their change values among 3 obstruction patterns (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONThe measurements of the upper airway and related structures on CMR imaging in OSAHS patients could provide useful information in assessing upper airway.