Tuberc Respir Dis.  1999 Aug;47(2):218-230. 10.4046/trd.1999.47.2.218.

The Clinical Usefulness of Cephalometric Analysis in the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. hsmoon@sph.cuk.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Craniofacial anatomic abnormalities related to structural narrowing of the upper airway have been reported in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. In this study, we evaluated the craniofacial anatomic characteristics of Korean patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and the role of cephalometric analysis in the prediction of abnormal breathing during sleep.
METHODS
Thirty-nine patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS), 39 simple snorers(simple snorers) and 20 controls(control) had cephalometric analysis using the technique of Riley et al., and underwent standardized polysomnographic recordings. Different variables, including sex, body mass index, cephalometric and polysomnographic data, were statistically analyzed.
RESULTS
Pm-UPW and V-LPW distances were significantly shorter in OSAS when compared with simple snorers or control. PAS in simple snorers was shorter than in control. ANS-Gn distance in OSAS was significantly longer than in control. PNS-P distance in OSAS or simple snorers was significantly longer than in control. MP-H distance in OSAS was significantly longer than in simple snorers or control, and MP-H distance in simple snorers was also longer than in control. NL/Pm-P angle in OSAS was lesser than in control. MP-H distance in OSAS or in the combined groups of OSAS and simple snorers was significantly correlated with apnea-hypopnea index(AHI). PNS-P distance in the combined groups of OSAS and simple snorers was correlated with AHI. In male of all subjects, body mass index was significantly correlated with PNS-P or MP-H distance.
CONCLUSION
Cephalometric analysis can be useful tool in determining the craniofacial anatomic abnormalities in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Cephalometric parameters, especially MP-H distance, can be useful for predicting frequency of narrowing or obstruction of upper airway during sleep.

Keyword

Cephalometric analysis; Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

MeSH Terms

Body Mass Index
Humans
Male
Respiration
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive*
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