title: Three-dimensional evaluation of upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome during oral appliance therapy.
abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) represents a frequent and common respiratory disease characterized by repeated episodes of complete and/or partial obstruction of upper airways during sleep, normally associated with reduction of oxygen saturation in blood. The oral appliances (OAs) are considered to be an effective treatment modality thanks to the upper airway enlargement. Lateral cephalometry has been used for the 2-dimensional evaluation of upper airway form with several limits. We obtained an accurate 3-dimensional (3D) volume analyses with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans to confirm the effects of OA on the upper airway in patients with OSAS. Ten Italian patients with moderate or severe OSA (3 males and 7 females, 53.4 ± 11.3 years of age, and BMI 24.5 ± 2.7), who cannot tolerate continuous positive air pressure therapy and rejected a surgical approach, were treated with non-adjustable customized OAs and evaluated with CBCT and polysomnography. Upper airway form was examined in the presence and absence of OA and the volume was measured and compared in 2 different areas. Specific planes have been considered to match the data and calculate the benefit obtained with therapy. Nine out of ten patients showed an improvement of total upper airway volume and an improvement in apnea-hypopnea index. Volume increased both in the posterior soft palate region and in the posterior tongue region. In the inferior area, we observed greater differences. 3D image reconstruction accurately confirmed morphological changes in the upper airway during OA therapy. The use of this 3D evaluation is expected to improve the results of OA therapy in the future.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Unit of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan †Department of Medical Science, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianguido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cossellu
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Biagi
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarcina
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mortellaro
authors.forename: Giampietro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Farronato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002508:Cephalometry; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009968:Orthodontic Appliances, Removable; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery; D017286:Polysomnography; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D014059:Tongue / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome