Are the obstruction sites visualized on drug-induced sleep endoscopy reliable?

PURPOSE: Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) has been claimed to be a reliable tool, improving surgical results in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). One means of assessing reliability would be to ablate only a part of the sites observed on endoscopy and find only partial success versus ablating all observed sites and finding resolution of apnea. METHODS: A retrospective study included 24 OSAS patients, operated on following awake clinical examination. DISE was performed prior to surgery. Overnight sleep study was performed before and after surgery. Two groups of patients were obtained: success (postoperative apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) <10 and >50 % reduction in preoperative AHI) and failure. Obstruction sites found on DISE and those ablated or left after surgery were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Mean AHI fell from 30.9 ± 12.4/h to 13.7 ± 14.2/h after surgery. In eight of the 14 patients in the success group, DISE showed an obstruction site not treated by surgery. In six patients out of the ten patients in the failure group, all DISE sites were treated by surgery, which nevertheless was not effective. Four patients had retrovelar concentric obstruction. CONCLUSION: DISE could in some cases explain surgical failure. However, it also seems to show additional obstruction sites which do not need to be treated. Proper knowledge of pharyngeal fluid dynamics and mastery of the DISE technique would probably help us understand better some of the DISE findings.

Is snoring intensity responsible for the sleep partner's poor quality of sleep?

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine if the intensity of breathing noise (including snoring) and/or the presence of abnormal breathing events (ABE) are factors that trigger arousal/awakening of a snorer's bed partner. METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicenter study investigating couples where the male had a chronic disturbing snoring. We simultaneously recorded the male's respiration and snoring and the female' sleep. We counted the number of arousals and awakenings during N2 sleep and randomly took nine of each. Then, for periods before, during, and after each arousal and awakening, we observed on the respiratory tracings what was happening in terms of breathing noise intensity and presence/absence of snoring and/or ABE. RESULTS: Thirteen couples were analyzed. The intensity of breathing noise and the presence/absence of snoring and/or ABE were comparable before and at initiation of arousal/awakening and between arousal and awakening. However, breathing volume intensity was lower and the presence of snoring and/or ABE was less frequent when the bed partner returned back to sleep from awakening compared to the other periods (p always <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The intensity of breathing noise or the presence of ABE does not seem to be essential to trigger an arousal or an awakening. However, the persistence of noise or events may prolong the duration of wakefulness during the sleep period and could be one factor that explains the bothersome snoring.

Comparative study of four radiofrequency generators for the treatment of snoring.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of four radiofrequency generators (Ellman, Select Sutter, Coblator, Somnus) for the treatment of simple snoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicenter, randomized, prospective single-blind study on 120 selected patients with simple snoring (apnea/hypopnea index <10/h of sleep). Snoring sound intensity was measured on a visual analog scale and the partner's short-term satisfaction rate was evaluated after two treatment sessions maximum. Discomfort, pain, and medication intake were compared. RESULTS: Radiofrequency decreased the snoring sound intensity from 7.9 +/- 1.7 to 4.4 +/- 2.7 (P < 0.0001). The four radiofrequency generators had a statistically comparable efficacy. The Ellman generator caused less discomfort and required less anti-inflammatory drugs. CONCLUSION: Despite different technical characteristics, the four generators had a comparable efficacy with good safety. The Ellman generator induced the least discomfort.

Radiofrequency tongue reduction through a cervical approach: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this prospective cohort study was to determine the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of radiofrequency tongue base reduction through a cervical approach in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe OSAS and predominant tongue base obstruction by physical examination were included at our institution from 1999 to 2003. A sonogram was obtained to identify the lingual arteries, and an electrode was inserted through the neck and into the tongue under fluoroscopic guidance. Adverse events were recorded as well as efficacy on snoring (visual analog scale), daytime sleepiness (Epworth score), and polysomnography. RESULTS: The 10 patients received a mean of 14,288 +/- 3,251 J per session. No cases of tongue palsy or infection occurred. During the first 7 days, mean pain score (0-10 scale) was 1.3 +/- 1.5. Snoring volume (0-10 scale) decreased from 6.2 +/- 2.3 to 3.9 +/- 2.6 (P = .017) and sleepiness (0-24 scale) from 8.7 +/- 5.6 to 4.7 +/- 3.3 (P = .011). The respiratory disturbance index (events/hour) decreased from 52.0 +/- 19.6 to 33.6 +/- 24.4 (P = .016). Mean minimal oxygen saturation (%) increased from 64.2 +/- 13.0 to 75.8 +/- 10.3 (P = .003). Sleep architecture improved although not significantly. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency tongue base reduction through a cervical approach proved feasible and safe despite the large energy doses used. Fluoroscopic guidance enables to place the electrode at the desired site of treatment. Although OSAS improved in nine of 10 patients, greater efficacy might be achieved in patients with less severe OSAS at baseline. Studies are needed to correlate objective clinical efficacy with the dose per lesion site and the number of lesion sites per session.

Tongue mechanical characteristics and genioglossus muscle EMG in obstructive sleep apnoea patients.

The increased genioglossus muscle (GGm) activity seen in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) may lead to increased fatigability or longer recovery time of the tongue. Maximal force, endurance, and recovery times of the tongue, electromyogram (EMG) absolute value, and EMG spectral analysis of the GGm obtained during submaximal contractions were compared in eight individuals without chronic snoring and eight OSAS patients. Endurance time values were not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.40). Time to recovery of initial maximal force was significantly greater in the OSAS group (P = 0.01). Final EMG median frequency was significantly higher (P = 0.01) and the final low-frequency EMG component smaller in the OSAS patients (P = 0.02). Patients did not have changes in endurance time or fatigability but had longer recovery times and changes in spectral analysis variations. This functional investigation may be helpful in determining the presence of OSAS and the potential contribution of the tongue to pharyngeal obstruction.

Radiofrequency versus LAUP for the treatment of snoring.

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy and tolerance of controlled temperature radiofrequency and laser-assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (LAUP) for the treatment of snoring. METHODS: This was a prospective, nonrandomized study on 30 patients who snored. All patients had a sleep night study. Only patients with simple snoring or mild sleep apnea and soft palate obstruction were included. Efficacy was subjectively evaluated by the bed partner 2 months after the last treatment. Tolerance was estimated daily by the patient during 18 first postoperative days. Discomfort, pain, medication intake, diet, and number of days off from work were assessed. RESULTS: Both treatments were effective on snoring. Mean discomfort and pain as well as mean intake of analgesics were significantly greater with laser-assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. CONCLUSION: Controlled temperature radiofrequency was as effective as laser-assisted uvulopalatopharyngoplasty on snoring on a short-term basis but was better tolerated.

Does propulsion mechanism influence the long-term side effects of oral appliances in the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing?

BACKGROUND: Mandibular advancement appliances (MAAs) can be used to treat sleep-disordered breathing, and differences in their designs have been thought to influence the occurrence of secondary effects. With bibloc devices, the lateral attachments producing mandibular propulsion can be inserted to generate traction or compression. We evaluated the clinical impact of this difference by comparing the long-term secondary effects and compliance of two devices. METHODS: One hundred sixty-two records of patients fitted with a traction-based or compression-based MAA before January 2008 were reviewed retrospectively for physical examination findings and cephalometry. Patients were sent a postal survey and contacted by phone 2 weeks later. They were offered a follow-up medical visit with repeat cephalometry. Main outcomes were long-term (> 2 years) secondary effects, compliance, or satisfaction. RESULTS: Of the patients who attended the follow-up visit, 48 had worn the MAA for > 2 years (16 traction based and 32 compression based), and nine for < 6 months (used as control subjects). Mean follow-up times for the traction and compression groups were 3.7 ± 1.2 years and 3.6 ± 1.2 years, respectively. No difference was found between the MAAs for subjective and objective side effects, except for greater early pain to the masticatory muscles (P = .02) and residual tongue pain (P = .04) in the compression group. However, pain intensity was low and clinical relevance was uncertain. No difference was found for compliance, satisfaction, and objective or subjective efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that traction-based appliances are similar to compression-based devices with regard to secondary effects and compliance.

Complications/adverse effects of maxillomandibular advancement for the treatment of OSA in regard to outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate adverse effects/postoperative complications and surgical response rate of maxillomandibular advancement for the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department in a teaching hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 59 consecutive severe sleep apnea patients underwent maxillomandibular advancement. Systemic complications were evaluated from medical charts. Functional adverse effects and cosmetic consequences were evaluated by questionnaires. The treatment outcome was assessed by polysomnography. RESULTS: Fifty patients were evaluated. They had a mean age of 46.4 +/- 9.0 years. No serious postoperative complication was observed. The most frequent local complication was mental nerve sensory loss. Most patients reported cosmetic changes. The mean apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 65.5 +/- 26.7 per hour to 14.4 +/- 14.5 per hour (P < 0.0001). Light-sleep stages were also decreased (P < 0.0001), whereas deep-sleep stages were increased (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Maxillomandibular advancement can induce local adverse effects and cosmetic changes, but they seem to be considered as secondary to the patients according to the surgical outcome.

Genioglossal electromyogram during maintained contraction in normal humans.

Knowledge of the fatigability of the genioglossus muscle is of interest because this muscle prevents pharyngeal collapse, especially during sleep. In the present investigation, signs of fatigue in the genioglossus muscle were studied by measuring the tongue endurance using a force transducer and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the genioglossus muscle in eight nonapnoeic men. Mean absolute EMG values and spectrum analysis were calculated at three levels of submaximal effort. Median frequency and the force:mean absolute EMG value ratio were independent of force level (F = 0.37, P = 0.93; F = 0.35, P = 0.94, respectively) but dependent on effort duration (F = 52, P < 0.0001; F = 16, P < 0.0001). Force:mean absolute EMG value and logarithmic median frequency decreased linearly with respect to time and were similar at the three force levels when time was expressed as a percentage of total test time (F = 0.37, P = 0.93). The decrease in median frequency was ascribable to a larger increase in low- than in high-frequency components, as shown by the significant decrease in the high-frequency:low-frequency ratio (F = 27, P < 0.0001) with time. The method of investigation used in this study allowed detection of the behaviour of the tongue during fatigue and, therefore, should be useful in disorders where mechanical failure of the tongue is suspected, such as the sleep apnoea syndrome or in neuromuscular disorders.