Cephalometric measurements and their correlation to the diurnal sleepiness grade in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Summary

AIM: The evaluation of the oropharyngeal and facial modifications made by cephalometry represents a complementary method of analysis of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The anatomical modifications frequently associated with the sleeping respiratory pathology can be evaluated with satisfactory results through the correlation of the clinical data made by flexible pharyngoscopy with the results of the cephalometric examinations. During the cephalometric examinations the screening of the following parameters is being made: the posterior airways space (PAS), uvula size PM-PU, distance between the inferior border of the mandibula and hyoid (MPH = maximum palate height). The literature demonstrates in the case of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome at least two of these parameters must be modified. RESULTS: Thirty (30) patients with sleep respiratory disfunctions like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea have been included in this prospective study, following the cephalometric investigations with all its parameters mentioned earlier. The obtained data were correlated to the diurnal sleepiness/daytime somnolence grade ESS and the value of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). It can be claimed as a fact, the anatomical modifications frequently associated with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome evidenced on cephalometry, these are in relationship with the AHI value and can be correlated to the diurnal sleepiness/daytime somnolence grade measured on the Epworth scale – ESS.