Sleep nasendoscopy: a 10-year retrospective audit study

Sleep nasendoscopy was conceived at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, UK in 1991, and has remained fully implemented in patient selection for targeted treatment of the spectrum of sleep-disordered breathing. The senior authors (B.T.K. and P.B.) have been performing sleep nasendoscopy together for over 10 years, and we look back at their decade’s experience. A retrospective audit study based on case notes was performed over a 10-year period (1995–2005) in a tertiary-referral practice setting. Case notes were retrieved on all patients who had undergone sleep nasendoscopy during the study period, and agreed data were extracted and analyzed. A total of 2,485 sleep nasendoscopies were performed in patients with a mean age of 44.1 years, a 4:1 male preponderance, and a mean body mass index of 27.3 kg m⁻². Sleep nasendoscopy grading correlated well with apnoea–hypopnoea index and mean oxygen desaturation. Such grading helped us define and discuss treatment options with patients. After a median follow-up period of 518 days, 72% of patients reported feeling better; 26% of patients reported no change; and only 2% of patients reported feeling worse after treatment. Sleep nasendoscopy has proved to be a useful adjunctive method to identify the anatomical site of snoring, not to mention upper airway collapse, and remains integral to our tertiary-referral practice. It has allowed us quality assessment of the dynamic anatomy of sleep-disordered breathing that most closely and cost-effectively simulates the natural situation of patients. And for targeted treatment, such assessment has been fundamental.     

Morphometric analysis of the uvula in patients with sleep-related breathing disorders

The upper-airway mucosa in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients and snorers is often described as edematous and hyperplastic. The morphologic aspects of the pharyngeal mucosa, and in particular the mucosa of the uvula and soft palate, in OSA patients are, however, not well described. The aim of the present retrospective study therefore was to perform histologic examination of the pharyngeal mucosa obtained from patients with various forms of sleep-related breathing disorders, including primary snoring. A midsagittal section of uvulas obtained by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) was investigated in 34 OSA patients and 9 non-apneic snorers. Control tissues were taken by autopsy in 19 patients not known to have OSA or snoring. A morphometric point counting technique was used to determine the tissue composition. The data showed that OSA patients and non-apneic snorers had a significantly greater percentage of intercellular space than controls (65.7% vs 54.0%; P = 0.006). Control uvulas contained more muscle than OSA and snorers (14.0% vs 7.8%; P = 0.006). Moreover, the covering epithelium was significantly thicker in OSA and snorers than in controls (variance ratio = 7.64; P = 0.008). When taking body mass index (BMI) into account, no correlation was found between fat deposition and BMI. Findings showed that an increased clinical severity of OSA did not affect the tissue composition. Indeed, uvula morphology was similar in OSA patients with respect to non-apneic snorers. Since the increased amount of intercellular space is the expression of edema, we hypothesize that these mucosal changes together with hyperplasia of the covering epithelium are secondary effects to snoring. They presumably play a minor role in the etiopathogenesis of OSA, but may increase the severity of OSA by further narrowing the pharyngeal lumen. Received: 18 May 1999 / Accepted: 2 July 1999     

便携式睡眠监测定位仪和多道睡眠监测同步检查的比较

目的比较便携睡眠监测阻塞定位仪（Apnea Graph,AG200）和标准多道睡眠图（polysomnography,PSG）监测仪同步化睡眠监测结果,研究AG200的临床应用价值。方法13例睡眠打鼾患者,用标准PSG和AG200同步进行整夜睡眠呼吸监测,分析PSG和AG200监测结果的相关性。分析AG200与标准PSG的呼吸暂停指数（apnea index,AI）、低通气指数（hypopnea index,HI）、呼吸暂停低通气指数（apneahypopnea index,AHI）和最低血氧饱和度之间相关性。结果①13例患者均很好耐受整夜PSG和AG200同步监测;②AG200和PSG测定的AI值呈高度正相关（r=0.9560,P=0.0000）,AHI值呈高度正相关（r=0.9451,P=0.0000）,最低氧含量呈高度正相关（r=0.9407,P=0.0000）,HI值呈中度正相关（r=0.5695,P=0.0422）。结论AG200监测指标与PSG高度一致性可作为便携PSG对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征诊断具有重要价值。     

Effect of nasal surgery on sleep-related breathing disorders.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Single cases of patients who have experienced obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and who recovered completely after nasal surgery have been described in various studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of only nasal surgery 1) in a group of patients with obstructive sleep apnea and 2) in simple snorers. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, controlled study with 26 adult patients who underwent nasal surgery as single treatment of their sleep-related breathing disorders. The cases were evaluated based on the severity level of their preoperative Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 1996 and July 2000, 26 patients who snored and had impaired nasal breathing underwent attended polysomnography in the sleep laboratory as single treatment nasal surgery was performed. Postoperative polysomnographic findings and complications were reviewed. RESULTS: Nineteen of 26 patients (73.1%) were diagnosed as having OSA. Seven patients were simple snorers with an AHI below 10. The surgical response rates, defined as greater than or equal to 50% reduction in the postoperative AHI and a postoperative AHI of less than 20, was 15.8% in the apneics. For the whole group, the AHI decreased postoperatively from 31.6 to 28.9. However, daytime sleepiness improved significantly and arousals decreased significantly in both apneics and simple snorers after nasal surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that nasal surgery has a limited efficacy in the treatment of adult patients with sleep apnea. Nevertheless, nasal surgery significantly improves sleep quality and daytime sleepiness independent of the severity of obstructive sleep-related breathing disorders.     

多道睡眠监测在儿童睡眠呼吸障碍诊断中的应用

目的探讨眠呼吸障碍患儿多道睡眠图（PSG）监测的特点。方法应用PSG对2007～2008年北京同仁医院睡眠中心收治的160例以睡眠打鼾为主诉的受试儿童,按2007年儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征诊疗指南草案（乌鲁木齐）的诊断标准对PSG监测结果 进行分析,将受试儿童分成阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）组及非OSAHS组即原发性打鼾（primary snoring,PS）组。结果 160例眠呼吸障碍患儿中,OSAHS组68例（42.5%）,PS组92例（57.5%）,包括阻塞性呼吸暂停指数（obstructive apnea index,OAI）〉1次/h者50例,呼吸暂停低通气指数（AHI）〉5次/h者63例。将OSAHS组分为轻、中、重度三组,三组间性别、年龄、体块指数差异无显著性。结论 PSG是鉴别诊断OSAHS与PS的重要方法 ,中枢性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气在儿童眠呼吸障碍中不容忽视。     

Oropharyngeal surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea in CPAP failures

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), albeit effective management, is poorly tolerated. This study looks at the role of laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) in patients with moderate and severe OSA who would not tolerate CPAP. All subjects underwent dynamic sleep nasendoscopy to determine the anatomical level of obstruction and their suitability for the procedure. Twenty subjects were included. Pre-procedure mean apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 47.9 per hour (21.3–101) and mean Epworth sleepiness score 15.6 (4–23). Post operative polysomnography at ≥4 months showed a 73% reduction in AHI to a mean of 12.9 per hour. Two subjects still required CPAP post procedure but both at reduced pressure. Epworth sleepiness questionnaire scores were reduced by a mean of 7.9 points. There was no confounding weight loss. The finding that LAUP offers an effective instrument to reduce the severity of OSA in patients intolerant of CPAP results disagree with the conclusion of the recent Cochrane Collabration review of surgery for OSA. We believe this is due to the careful selection of patients for LAUP based on the anatomical level of obstruction as opposed to random selection.     

The value of sleep nasendoscopy in the evaluation of patients with suspected sleep-related breathing disorders

Fifty patients with sleep-related breathing disorders were tested with nocturnal polysomnography and with nasendoscopic diurnal polysomnography after diazepam administration, and various indices of breathing disorders were examined, and the results obtained in the two sleep studies compared. There were no significant differences between the two sleep studies in either the type of apnoea or the indices of breathing disorder except for the longest duration of apnoea. There was a significant difference in the duration of REM sleep between the two sleep studies, but no significant difference in the duration of each stage of non-REM sleep. We speculate that nasendoscopic diurnal polysomnography with diazepam can be used as a substitute for nocturnal polysomnography in the clinical study of non-REM sleep stage but it is not sufficient in evaluating REM sleep stage, in patients with sleep-related breathing disorders without pathological obesity or abnormal respiratory function.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of tongue-lip adhesion in Pierre Robin sequence

ObjectiveTongue-lip adhesion may be used to relieve obstructive sleep apnoea in infants with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS), but only a few studies have objectively evaluated its efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of tongue-lip adhesion by polysomnography.Materiel and methodsA single-centre retrospective study was conducted in infants with PRS treated by tongue-lip adhesion from 2004 to 2015, in whom at least laryngotracheal endoscopy and polysomnography were performed. The variables collected were the syndromic diagnosis, demographic data, respiratory management before tongue-lip adhesion, symptoms, and additional airway interventions. Obstructive sleep apnoea was classified into 3 groups according to severity. Polysomnography was performed one month after tongue-lip adhesion. Statistical analysis was performed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test with a limit of statistical significance of P < 0.005.ResultsThirty-seven subjects in whom tongue-lip adhesion was performed at a mean age of 45 days (8 to 210 days) were included. Thirty-one patients had isolated PRS and 6 patients had associated anomalies. All patients had confirmed severe obstructive sleep apnoea. All patients required respiratory support prior to surgery: 8 intubated patients, 15 patients with noninvasive ventilation and 14 patients with nasopharyngeal airways. Eight patients had bradycardia before tongue-lip adhesion. All parameters were improved on postoperative polysomnography: oxygen saturation, hypercapnia, apnoea-hypopnoea index, bradycardia (P < 0.005). Only 8 patients had persistent severe obstructive sleep apnoea and required tracheostomy (n = 5) or noninvasive ventilation (n = 3). No significant correlation was observed between treatment success and any predictive variables.ConclusionTongue-lip adhesion improved airway obstruction in all infants with PRS and resolved obstructive sleep apnoea in 29 patients. However, 8 patients required additional airway interventions.     

Diagnostic work-up of socially unacceptable snoring

Should all patients with socially unacceptable snoring (SUS) undergo polysomnography, or is history-taking sufficient to identify the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS)? Three hundred and eighty consecutive patients with SUS who underwent sleep registration were evaluated retrospectively to determine the predictive value of a history of apnoea or excessive daytime somnolence (hypersomnia). Of the patients analysed, 54% had OSAS, defined as an apnoea / hypopnoea index (AHI) of >15. This is higher than previously reported in the literature (46.7%). (Incidental) apnoea was reported by 337 (89%) of the patients, with a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 0.13. The predictive value – as related to the gold standard, i.e. sleep registration, of a negative test and of a positive test for OSAS is low (0.56 and 0.59, respectively). Hypersomnia was reported by 280 (74%) of the patients, with a sensitivity of 0.29 and a specificity of 0.72. The predictive value of a negative test and a positive test for OSAS is also low, 0.45 and 0.56, respectively. These data confirm that apnoea and hypersomnia in the history do not have a reliable predictive value of an obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. We conclude that sleep registration is indicated in all patients with SUS, to rule out or confirm the presence of OSAS.     

¿Es necesario repetir el estudio de sueño de control a todos los niños con SAHOS moderado-severo tras la cirugía?

Hypertrophy of adenotonsillar tissue is the most common cause of OSAS in otherwise healthy children, and therefore adenotonsillectomy is the first line treatment. Scientific societies recommend nocturnal follow-up PSG to assess for residual OSAS in children with preoperative evidence for moderate to severe OSAS, obesity, craniofacial anomalies that obstruct the upper airway and neurological disorders, based on the increasing trend of publications reporting residual OSAS after adenotonsillectomy. Follow-up PSG values in children with a pre-operative diagnosis of severe OSAS were analysed retrospectively, and compared to the parents’ impression after ENT surgery. The study population included 41 healthy children with severe OSAS and adenotonsillar surgery. The percentage of children with normal PSG parameters (AHI < 2/h) after adenotonsillectomy was 80.48%. A very good correlation was observed between the parents’ perception after treatment and the follow-up PSG parameters, specifically when the parents perceived that the patient had shown «complete resolution» (no snoring or apnoea), 90.62% of the children had an AHI < 2/h in the follow-up PSG, the maximum residual AHI being 2.6/h. In healthy children with no underlying pathology, the information provided by the parents on clinical progression after surgery could be useful and might enable the selection of those patients who require a follow-up study, avoiding overload in sleep units.     

Feasibility of unattended home polysomnography in children with sleep-disordered breathing

Objective

To investigate the technical feasibility of unattended polysomnography (HPSG) for diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children.

Methods

A single-night HPSG was performed on children referred to the pediatric respiratory laboratory. Non-interpretable HPSGs were defined as: recordings with (i) loss of ≥2 of the following channels: nasal flow, or thoraco-abdominal belts, or (ii) HPSG with less than 4 h of artifact-free recording time or (iii) less than 4 h SpO2 signal.

Results

Of n = 101 included HPSGs, n = 75 were ambulatory and n = 26 in hospitalized subjects. Median (minimum–maximum) age was 2.8 (0–15.4) years. Interpretable and technically acceptable recordings were obtained in 94 subjects (93%). Only 7 recordings (4 at home versus 3 in hospitalized subjects, p-value = 0.254) were classified as non-interpretable and had to be repeated. Artifact-free recording time was 461 (23–766) min. Complete artifact-free pulse oximetry signal was obtained in 14% of the included subjects. Neither age, gender, AHI, nor place of performance was significantly associated with the interpretability of recordings.

Discussion

HPSG showed a high rate of interpretability and technical acceptance. The high technical feasibility obtained by HPSG may help to improve simple screening tests for OSA in children.     

The effects of nasal decongestion on obstructive sleep apnoea

Background

Many studies have indicated associations between impaired nasal breathing and sleep disorders. However, the precise nature of the relationship between nasal patency and sleep remains unclear.

Validity of sleep nasendoscopy in the investigation of sleep related breathing disorders

OBJECTIVE: To validate the technique of sleep nasendoscopy using target controlled infusion in symptomatic patients and a control group of asymptomatic individuals. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and anesthesia in a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Two groups of patients were compared and matched for their body mass index. The first group consisted of 53 patients with a history suggestive of obstructive sleep apnea. The second group consisted of 54 patients with partner-confirmed history of no snoring. These patients were undergoing anesthesia for other reasons. Both groups of patients were free of associated otorhinolaryngologic symptoms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Assessment of production of snoring or obstruction in patients with no documented history of snoring when sedation was administered as part of general anesthesia using target controlled infusion with propofol. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: None of the patients in the asymptomatic group snored or obstructed at any level of propofol, and this was clearly significant on comparison with the symptomatic group (P < .001). All of the symptomatic patients were induced to become symptomatic (snoring/obstruction).     

Preliminary Findings from Our Experience in Anterior Palatoplasty for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objectives

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder affecting at least 2% to 4% of adult population characterized by the collapse of the pharyngeal airway. It is well established that retropalatal region is the most common site of obstruction. Consequently, many surgical techniques have been introduced. The purpose of this study is to present our preliminary results in the anterior palatoplasty (AP) compared with results of uvulopalatal flap (UPF).

Methods

Thirty-eight consecutive patients with mild-moderate OSA were prospectively enrolled into a randomised surgical protocol. Surgical success was measured primarily by satisfactory reduction in snoring, as reported by snoring assessment questionnaire (SQ) of sleep partners. Secondary outcomes measures included improvement in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, changes in the magnitude of pharyngeal collapse, and postoperative pain intensity.

Results

The ESS after AP improved from a preoperative value 8.5±3.7 to a postoperative mean of 4.9±3.2 (P<0.001) after UPF improved from a preoperative value of 8.1±3.5 to 5.2±3.2 postoperatively (P<0.001). The results of satisfactory reduction in the volume of snoring and response at polysomnographic data were also similar in both procedures. We reported a statistically significant difference of the collapse noted at Müller manoeuvre that improved from 2.7±1.0 on average, to 1.1±0.9 (P<0.001) after AP and with a lesser extent, (from 2.8±1.1 on average to 1.8±1.1; P<0.05), after UPF. The mean duration of pain was 10.8 days for UPF patients and 7.1 days for AP patients. The mean pain score in the first 3 days, was 6.8 in UPF patients and 5.1 in AP patients.

Conclusion

The subjective and objective improvements evidenced may suggest how AP is far superior to other techniques aimed at creating a palatal fibrotic scar. In the light of these results we can suggest AP procedure as more practical and comfortable when compared to UPF.     

A comparison of sleep nasendoscopy and the Muller manoeuvre

Knowledge of the level of pharyngeal obstruction during sleep is an important factor in deciding whether or not a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) will benefit from uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. The Muller manoeuvre has been advocated as a method of obtaining this information. We compared the findings from the technique of sleep nasendoscopy, which actually allows visualization of the level of obstruction in the sleeping patient, with the results of the Muller manoeuvre performed in the same patients while awake. We found the Muller manoeuvre to be less accurate than previously believed.     

Sleep nasendoscopy: a technique of assessment in snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea

It appears that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UVPP) is a reliable procedure for reducing snoring, but much less reliable when used as a treatment for OSAS. This is thought to be because of poor patient selection in that the site of the problem is not always the site of the operation. We present the technique of sleep nasendoscopy which allows direct visualization of the site or sites of obstruction in a sleeping patient. Our study has shown that there are patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in whom the only site of pharyngeal obstruction is at the velopharynx. These patients should do well with the relatively simple procedure of UVPP. This is not true for many other OSAS patients in whom we found that obstruction was multisegmental. This helps to explain the frequently poor results of UVPP in OSAS patients. We feel that this form of preoperative assessment will avoid unnecessary surgery.     

微动敏感床垫式睡眠监测系统对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征诊断作用的研究

目的 检验微动敏感床垫式睡眠监测系统(micro-movement sensitive mattress sleep monitoring system,MSMSMS)在诊断阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)中的准确性,以期为临床提供一种简易、准确的监测方法.方法 54例以睡眠打鼾为主诉的门诊患者同时进行MS...