Use of 3-dimensional computed tomography scan to evaluate upper airway patency for patients undergoing sleep-disordered breathing surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to investigate the correlation between upper airway 3-dimensional computed tomography (3-D CT) measurements and polysomnography data of patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Study design and setting The 3-D CT scan measurements of the retropalatal space (RP), lateral and anteroposterior diameters of RP, retroglossal space, uvular thickness, and volume of upper airway were taken prospectively from 194 consecutive SDB patients. These were correlated with patients' respective Respiratory Distress Index (RDI), snoring index, and lowest arterial oxygen saturation gathered from polysomnographic data.


RESULTS
RP (r = -0.27, P = 0.0001) and lateral diameter (P = 0.0073) were significantly correlated with RDI. Multivariate regression model (R(2) = 0.286) demonstrates RP (P = 0.0036) and retroglossal space (P = 0.027) to be predictive of RDI. No 3-D CT parameters correlated with snoring index and lowest arterial oxygen saturation attained statistical significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The 3-D CT scan measurements can be valuable in evaluating upper airway patency in patients with SDB. The RP was the most relevant upper airway anatomic structure identified in these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Modification of palatal surgery to increase the lateral dimension of the RP may be a breakthrough in increasing its success rate.
Li
Hseuh-Yu
HY
Department of Otolaryngology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
Ning-Hung
NH
Wang
Chao-Ran
CR
Shu
Yu-Hsiang
YH
Wang
Pa-Chun
PC
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012913:Snoring / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014609:Uvula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*