The snoring and sleep apnea have been newly interested because the individuals are apt to be obese, the harsh sounds could disturb a group life and one excessively warry about one's health. But, still the diagnosis and the treatment of the
disease
have
not been well established.
From November, 1992 to September, 1993, we performed cephalometry in 22 cases of sleep disorders and 10 cases of normal subjects.
The purpose of this study is to provide a guide for the operative treatment of the patients who were diagnosed as the snoring and the sleep apnea syndrome by cephalometry.
@ES The following results were obtained:
@EN 1) There was significant shortening of the posterior airway space in obstructive sleep apna syndrome (OSAS) group (p<0.05).
2) There was significant lengthening of the soft palate and uvula in OSAS group (p<0.05).
3) There was significant lowering of the hyoid bone level in OSAS group (p<0.05).
4) There was no significant differences in the bony skeleton of face and mandible between the control group and OSAS group.
In summary, cephalometry seemed to be useful diagnostic procedure in patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and could help to select the best treatment among variable methods including uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. (Korean J
Otolaryngol 38:1, 1995)
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