CBCT in evaluating the upper airway changes and respiratory functions in
patients with OSAHS
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the upper airway changes before and after the
use of Mandibular Advancement Device (OAm) of the patients with mild to
moderate obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) using Cone
Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Design: Prospective study recruiting
patients from February 2015 to January 2017 Settings: Department of
Stomatology at Yan’an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University,
China. Participants: PSG confirmed Chinese OSAHS patients. Main outcomes
measures: CBCT scans were done before and after the use of OAm to assess
the change in the sagittal and coronal diameter, volumetric changes and
the change in Minimal Cross-sectional Area (MCA) of different segments
of upper airway. Results: A total of 30 patients were included with an
average age of 49.53 ± 6.62 years. A significant increase in sagittal
and coronal diameter of the lower margin of soft palate and the upper
epiglottis was observed except the hard palate plane after OAm
(P>0.05). MCA and volume of the posterior soft palate,
lingual, epiglottis area and total airway were significantly increased
with the use of OAm (P<0.001). Conclusion: OAm is a beneficial
device in OSAHS patients as it increases the upper airway area and the
volumetric changes thereby reducing the effects of OSAHS.