Pharyngeal volume in asymptomatic snorers compared with nonsnoring volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
to determine if asymptomatic snorers have smaller pharyngeal volumes than age- and height-matched nonsnorers.


METHODS
we recruited asymptomatic heavy snorers and nonsnorers for a study. Each snorer was matched by age (+/- 3 years) and height (+/- 2 inches) with a nonsnorer. The nonsnorers were required to be near ideal body weight. All volunteers underwent overnight polysomnography, pulmonary function testing, and magnetic resonance imaging of the pharynx while awake. The volume of the pharynx was determined by a computer with data input from a digitizing instrument.


METHODS
Veterans Administration Hospital and University of Florida Teaching Hospital


METHODS
Nine volunteers were recruited for both the snorer and nonsnorer groups. Each participant was paid $50. There were no interventions.


RESULTS
There were no differences in sleep variables between the two groups. There was also no significant difference between pharyngeal volumes for the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The volume of the pharynx in asymptomatic snorers is similar to the volume in age- and height-matched nonsnorers.
Green
D E
DE
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
Block
A J
AJ
Collop
N A
NA
Hellard
D W
DW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D012913:Snoring / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology