Evaluation of the upper airway in obstructive sleep apnoea.

The evaluation of the upper airway (UA) includes the physical examination of pharyngeal structures and a number of imaging techniques that vary from the mostly used lateral cephalometry and computed tomography to more sophisticated methods such as tri-dimensional magnetic resonance image (MRI). Other complex techniques addressing UA collapsibility assessed by measurement of pharyngeal critical pressure and negative expiratory pressure however are not routinely performed. These methods provide information about anatomic abnormalities and the level of pharyngeal narrowing or collapse while the patient is awake or asleep.

[Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children].

Objective: To investigate the symptoms most frequently found in children with a polysomnographic diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods: We evaluated 38 children consecutively referred to the sleep laboratory with suspicion of OSAHS between June of 2003 and December of 2004. The patients were submitted to a pre-sleep questionnaire and to polysomnography.

[Clinical presentation of obese patients with polysomnographic diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea].

Aim: To evaluate the symptoms of obese patients with polysomnographic diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: All obese patients (BMI > or =30 kg/m(2)) that accomplished overnight polysomnography in two sleep laboratories in the city of Salvador, BA, Brazil, in the period of July to December of 2004, and had an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) > or =5. The considered symptoms were excessive daytime sleepiness, awakenings during the night and nocturnal choking or gasping.

Clinical, anthropometric and upper airway anatomic characteristics of obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Background: Obese subjects are at increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). However, the individual role of local (i.e.