Obstructive sleep apnoea: a cephalometric study. Part II. Uvulo-glossopharyngeal morphology.

Abstract

A comprehensive cephalometric analysis of uvulo-glossopharyngeal morphology in 100 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and 36 controls was performed. The aberrations in OSA patients included: 1. Increased length, thickness, and sagittal area of soft palate (PM-U; SPT; SPA: P < 0.001) with a more upright position (NL/PM-U: P < 0.05) and 15 per cent more pharyngeal area occupation [SPA/(OPA-OA): P < 0.001]. 2. The contact length between the soft palate and the tongue was increased approximately two-fold (CL: P < 0.001). 3. The sagittal area of the tongue was 10 per cent larger (TA: P < 0.001) despite similar length and height and 3 per cent more oral area occupation (TA/OA: P < 0.05). 4. More upright tongue position (VT/FH: P < 0.05) and caudally extended tongue mass (V perpendicular FH: P < 0.05). 5. Decreased sagittal dimensions of nasopharynx (pm-UPW: P < 0.001), velopharynx (U-MPW: P < 0.001) and minimum distance between the base of the tongue and the posterior pharyngeal wall (PASmin: P < 0.001). 6. The residual oropharyngeal area (area not occupied by soft tissues) was 9 per cent less due to larger tongue and soft palate [(TA+SPA)/OPA: P < 0.001]. Cephalometric analysis is highly recommended in OSA patients as one of the most important tools in diagnosis and treatment planning.