Cephalometric study of obstructive sleep apnea patients in the upright and supine positions

Kim, Jong Chul; Lowe, Alan A

Abstract

Sixty male patients with polysomnographically documented OSA were included in this study. A pair of cephalograrns were obtained in the upright and supine positions. In the supine position, the ANB angle, lower facial height and the cross-sectional area of soft palate increased and there was a decrease in the vertical airway length and oropharynx cross-sectional area. Positional changes did not affect the cross-sectional area of tongue, but the cross-sectional area of the oropharynx decreased in the supine position. The obese group had higher AI and RDI. Maxillary unit length, C3-H, the cross-sectional areas of tongue, soft palate and oropharynx were significantly greater in the group Obese than in non-obese group. No correlation was noted between the mandibular unit length and OSA severity. The group of small mandibular unit length showed shorter lower facial height and maxillary unit length, and smaller cross-sectional area of tongue than the long mandibular unit length group. Hyold bone positioned more inferiorly and cross-sectional area of nasopharynx decreased as the OSA severity increased.