| The aim of the study was to investigate the association between a cephalometric analysis and an endoscopic analysis under sedatives, defined as drug-induced-sleep-endoscopy (DISE). This prospective cross-sectional study included 69 subjects with OSA diagnosed by an overnight sleep study. Lateral cephalogram and DISE were performed on all subjects. Each cephalogram was digitized to examine the craniofacial morphology and airway characteristics of the subjects. Another investigator, an ENT specialist, administered the DISE and determined the location and degree of airway obstruction and the primary structure contributing to airway obstruction. Certain craniofacial structures were distinctive for the OSA subjects including the cranio-cervical angle. The location of obstruction was correlated well between cephalometric analysis and DISE. Although static and two-dimensional, a lateral cephalogram taken during a routine orthodontic examination can help identify a patient who may have an undiagnosed OSA that should be referred for further evaluation by an ENT specialist. |
