Craniofacial differences according to AHI scores of children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: cephalometric study in 39 patients.
BACKGROUND
Cephalometry is useful as a screening test for anatomical abnormalities in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate comprehensively the cephalometric features of children with OSAS, with or without adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and to elucidate the relationship between cephalometric variables and apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) severity.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 39 children, aged 4-12 years, with OSAS. Cephalometry was analysed using 11 measurements of the bony structures, their relationships and the size of the airways. Additionally, adenoid and tonsillar hypertrophy were graded.


RESULTS
Cranial base angles (BaSN and BaSPNS) were found to correlate with increasing levels of AHI scores (P<0.001). Protrusion of the maxilla (SNA) and mandible (SNB) did not correlate with AHI scores (P>0.05). The length of the mandibular plane (GnGo) and the minimal posterior airway space (MPAS) were inversely correlated with AHI scores (P<0.001). There was positive correlation between MPAS and GnGo (r=0.740, P<0.001), and negative correlation between MPAS and gonial angle (ArGoGn) (r=-0.541, P<0.001). There was significant correlation between cephalometric data and adenotonsillar hypertrophy concerning BaSN, BaSPNS, ArGoGn, GnGoH, BaN-GnGo, MPAS, GnGO and MPH (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
There is significant correlation between cephalometric data and AHI score severity in children with OSAS. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy affects the cephalometric measurements adversely. The study clearly mandates the institution of early and effective therapy of adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children with OSAS.
Ozdemir
Hüseyin
H
Department of Radiology, Medical School, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Kozlu, 67600 Zonguldak, Turkey. hozdemir37@yahoo.com
Altin
Remzi
R
Söğüt
Ayhan
A
Cinar
Fikret
F
Mahmutyazicioğlu
Kamran
K
Kart
Levent
L
Uzun
Lokman
L
Davşanci
Halit
H
Gündoğdu
Sadi
S
Tomaç
Nazan
N
D000234:Adenoids / Q000473:pathology; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D008297:Male; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000473:pathology*