[Cephalometric evaluation of hyoid bone position in patients with obstructive sleep apnea].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate cephalometrically the relationship between hyoid bone position and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).


METHODS
Two groups were examined: the experimental Group (SG), composed of 15 OSA patients, and the Control Group (CG), composed of 15 healthy subjects. Both SG and CG patients were subjected to lateral teleradiography. On each radiography were effected cephalometric measurements to evaluate hyoid bone position and the results obtained were compared.


RESULTS
From data comparison it turned out that, as already described in the literature, in OSA patients hyoid bone is, on average, in a lower and in a more posterior position than in control group patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This altered hyoid bone position may influence tongue position and upper airway patency. All this makes it clear that cephalometric study is important for diagnosis and treatment of OSA patients.
Bucchieri
A
A
U.O.C. Maxillo-Facciale, Ospedale San Giovanni Addolorata, Rome. alfio.buccheri@libero.it
Mastrangelo
C
C
Stella
R
R
Poladas
E G
EG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002508:Cephalometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology*