Evaluation of upper airway obstruction site in OSAHS by CT and ApneaGraph

Objective:To evalnate the clinical value of CT measurement and ApneaGragh in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.Methods:Twenty-two snoring patients underwent one-night pressure monitoring by ApneaGragh.The measured data included apnea hypopnea index(AHl),the site of upper airway collapse,and the obstructive proportion of different level.The upper airway levels from the roof of nasopharynx to the inferior border of annular cartilage were sacanned by spiral CT.The coronary and arrowy diameter and the areas of retropalatal and retroglossal space were measured by use of image handling workstation.The obstruction level found in CT screening and determined by pressure monitored were compared.Results: ① All cases were well tolerated the procedure.16 were diagnosed as OSAHS,of which 2 were mild,6 moderate and 8 severe.Six were excluded OSAHS;② All sixteen cases had obstruction pattern of upper and lower level obstruction,of which 13 were mainly at upper level(one was totally at upper level) and 3 mainly at lower level.Each case had different constituent ratio of predominant obstruction site,but mainly at upper level;③ In 22 CT screening,no obstruction area were found in 4 cases.The obstruction mainly occurred in retropalatal and retroglossal area were 14 and 1,respectively.In three cases,the obstruction was found in both retropalatal and retroglossal area;④ In 16 OSAHS cases,the obstruction mainly in retropalatal area was found 13 by AG and 12 by CT.There was no difference between two methods.Otherwise,the obstruction mainly in retroglossal area was found 3 by AG and 4 by CT.Conclusion:ApneaGraph can serve as a useful device to diagnose sleep disordered breathing,which is benificial for evaluating upper airway obstruction combining with CT.