[Obstructive site of the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: analysis of dynamic MRI].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the obstructive site and the dynamic change of the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) during sleep and wakefulness.


METHODS
After being deprived of sleeping for 20 hours, sequential midline sagittal images of the upper airway were obtained in 21 patients during sleep and wakefulness with dynamic MRI. The obstructive state was studied according to hypopnea (< 10 s) and apnea (> or = 10 s). The length of obstruction site was measured and the dynamic characteristics of obstruction was observed. Statistical analysis was performed with paired t-test.


RESULTS
The obstruction at the level of the palatopharynx in patients with hypopnea during wakefulness was similar to that in patients with apnea during sleep. The maximal length [(6.61 +/- 1.23) cm], the minimal length [(0.95 +/- 0.22) cm] and maximal length difference [(5.66 +/- 1.27) cm] related to apnea during sleep were longer than those correlated with hypopnea [(2.99 +/- 0.51) cm, (0.72 +/- 0.23) cm, (2.27 +/- 0.67) cm, respectively] in wakefulness. (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The obstruction of upper airway during sleep is dynamic and multilevel in patients with OSAHS. To a certain degree, hypopnea during wakefulness can give a clue to the obstructive state during sleep.
Hu
Rong-dang
RD
Department of Orthodontics, Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou Zhejiang 325027, China.
Zhang
Xiu-hua
XH
Pan
Ke-feng
KF
Liu
Yue-hua
YH
D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology