Correlation analysis of upper airway morphology in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and anatomically small retruded mandibles

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the relationship between upper airway morphology and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with anatomically small retruded mandibles. Methods Fifty-two patients with small retruded mandibles underwent polysomnography and airway computed tomography. The airway morphology parameters and sleep assessment were compared between the patients with or without OSA. Results Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with OSA, according to polysomnography, had a higher distance between the hyoid bone and mandibular plane (HMP), lateral dimension (LAT)/anteroposterior dimension (AP), but lower minimum cross-sectional area (mCSA), AP, surface area, volume, avgCSA, and airway uniformity (U). The apnea-hypopnea index had negative correlations with mCSA, AP, surface area, volume, avgCSA, and U, and had a positive correlation with HMP and LAT/AP. Conclusion OSA is common among patients with small retruded mandibles and is associated with a more compressed upper airway shape and longer HMP.