Quantification of Retropalatal Region in Sleep Apnea

Objective Fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy (FNPL) allows us to visualize the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) related airway passages. However, objective data presenting evidence of OSA through this perspective is lacking. The aim of this study was to quantify the surface area of the retropalatal region in normal and OSA patients utilizing FNLP images. Method Fifty‐two OSA patients in group 1 and 68 patients with no complaints of OSA in group 2 were retrospectively evaluated. Retropalatal region photos were captured at the base of uvula through endoscopic images. Retropalatal surface area (RPSA) was measured using AutoCad. Results were analyzed using unpaired t test. Results The RPSA measurements in group 1 were between 20 and 143 [mean (sd) 64.13 (27.4)]. The RPSA measurements in group 2 were between 51 and 202 [mean (sd) 121.9 (32.4)]. The mean difference was 57.761. RPSA values of group 2 were significantly higher than group 1. Conclusion The RPSA is significantly higher in OSA group 2, implicating prediction of OSA. Therefore, RPSA can be used as a sign of OSA during FNLP.