Computer-assisted fiberoptic pharyngoscopy in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the upper airway (UA) characteristics of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) using computer-assisted fiberoptic pharyngoscopy with Muller's maneuver (CFPMM).


METHODS
The pharyngeal cavity were measured and calculated by CFPMM in 30 OSAS patients and 30 controls. The correlation between UA anatomy and polysomnography data was analyzed.


RESULTS
CFPMM can measure the cross-section area of UA accurately. All OSAS patients had minimal cross-section areas of pharyngeal apertures below 40 mm(2) during Muller's maneuver and 60% of cases had complete occlusion. Obstruction sites at the velopharynx were observed in all cases and 40% had multiple obstruction sites. Diminished pharyngeal apertures and increased collapsibility were associated with increased rates of apnea and hypopnea index (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
CFPMM is able to evaluate UA's characteristics and help determine the site of obstruction. Complete occlusion of UA during Muller's maneuver is the criterion to determine the obstruction site in OSAS patients.
Ye
Jingying
J
Department of Otolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing, China. yejingying@yeah.net
Han
Demin
D
Wang
Jun
J
Yang
Qingwen
Q
Lin
Yuhua
Y
Wang
Jiangyong
J
Li
Yanru
Y
D015992:Body Mass Index; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017286:Polysomnography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*