title: Importance of cephalographs in diagnosis of patients with sleep apnea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is considered to be a potentially life threatening disorder, which is characterized by repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep with cessation of breathing. The cephalometric method despite being a static, two-dimensional evaluation of dynamic three-dimensional structures of the head and neck is useful in diagnosing patients with OSA, as they have shown that significant differences exist between asymptomatic controls and patients with OSA.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study is designed to compare and validate the craniofacial morphology in patients with OSA using lateral cephalometry in both upright and supine position.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty subjects participated in the study of which 30 were patients with OSA diagnosed by questionnaire and 30 were healthy control group with age range of 25-45 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study group demonstrated an increased ANB, mandibular plane angles (GoGn-SN), lower anterior facial height which are statistically significant with a significant P < 0.05. Significant decrease in posterior airway space, increased soft palate length, tongue length, and thickness suggesting reduced airway space in supine posture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evaluation of craniofacial morphology in OSA patients using lateral cephalometry helps in recognizing the morphological changes induced by altered sleep pattern and for appropriate treatment planning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Nimma Vijaya
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Laxmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Harshavardhan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Talla
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Deepika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meesala
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Shakuntala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soujanya
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Nithya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naomi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Manasa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poosa
keywords: Lateral cephalometry; obstructive sleep apnea; retroglossal obstruction; retropalatal obstruction