Premium
Oropharyngeal Scintigraphy: A Computerized Analysis of Swallowing in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Author(s) -
Zohar Yuval,
Grusko Ilia,
Sulkes Jaqueline,
Melloul Moshe M.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199801000-00007
Subject(s) - medicine , uvulopalatopharyngoplasty , swallowing , obstructive sleep apnea , scintigraphy , apnea , bolus (digestion) , nuclear medicine , anesthesia , polysomnography , radiology
This study examines the oropharyngeal‐upper esophageal scintigraphic transit in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome, as well as the effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) on this transit. Scintigraphy is a safe, noninvasive test that is suitable as a screening test for oropharyngoesophageal motor disorders. A qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the swallowed radionuclide bolus was performed in 47 patients by means of a Cine Mode visual inspection and by computerized analysis. Three groups of patients were studied and compared: group 1, 10 healthy patients; group 2, 18 OSA patients before UPPP; and group 3, 19 OSA patients 6 months up to 2 years after UPPP. Oropharyngoesophageal scintigraphy was normal in 90% of group 1 patients (9/10) as well as in group 3, where 95% of patients (18/19) had a normal transit unlinked to the degree of improvement in the respiratory disturbance index. The radionuclide transit was abnormal in 79% OSA patients(15/18) in group 2. Statistically significant differences of mean transit abnormalities between the three groups were found ( P = 0.0001). Moreover, mean transit abnormalities in the OSA patients before UPPP were statistically significantly lower than in the group of patients after UPPP(56.2% vs 87.4, P ≤ 0.05).