PhD Scientific Days 2026

Surgical Medicine

Investigation of the Relationship Between Upper Airway Anatomy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Előadó neve

Dr. Török, Eszter

Neptune code

I7XFCN

Előadó munkahelye

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Semmelweis University

Előadó telefonszáma

06307126616

Előadó e-mail címe

torok.eszter@semmelweis.hu

Az előadás címe

Investigation of the Relationship Between Upper Airway Anatomy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Eszter Török¹

1: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Semmelweis University

Bemutatás módja

Szóbeli

Szekció

Surgical Medicine

Language of the presentation

Hungarian

Preferred session

Surgical Medicine

Összefoglaló szövege

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, characterized by partial or complete upper airway obstruction during sleep. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is essential in the diagnostic process, as it allows identification of the site of obstruction and supports appropriate therapy selection. In this study, we aimed to compare the upper airway anatomy of non-OSA and OSA patients with their DISE findings. We hypothesized that the site of airway collapse during sleep does not necessarily correspond to the anatomically narrowest segment.

Aims: To explore the relationship between the static upper airway anatomy in awake OSA patients and the patterns of airway collapse observed during DISE.

Methods: In this prospective study, 92 patients (68 males, 24 females) referred for snoring or suspected apnea were examined at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Semmelweis University. All patients underwent polysomnography (PSG), DISE, and neck soft tissue MRI. Geometric measurements describing upper airway anatomy were performed on MRI scans using IntelliSpace software. DISE was carried out under propofol-induced sedation, and obstruction sites were classified according to the VOTE classification.

Results: Patients were divided into control (n=30) and OSA (n=62) groups based on the apnea - hypopnea index obtained from PSG. Significant differences were found between the groups in total upper airway length (p<0.05), latero-lateral diameter of the retropalatal and retroglossal regions (p<0.05), and retropalatal length (p<0.05). However, no consistent significant correlation was found between MRI-derived airway parameters and the location and severity of obstructions observed during DISE.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, in OSA patients, airway collapse does not always occur at the anatomically narrowest segment. This highlights the role of non-anatomical factors in OSA pathophysiology. Therefore, DISE remains essential for selecting appropriate therapy, as anatomical assessment alone is insufficient. In Hungary, however, access to DISE is limited to a small number of institutions and specialists.

University

Semmelweis University

Supervisor

Dr. Molnár Viktória PhD

Publication of my abstract

I do not give consent to the publication of my abstract on the website of the congress.

phd.section.field

in doctoral studies before complex exam (PhD)

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

szóbeli

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

nem rendelkezett róla

Előadó

9086

Start

17:15

End

17:25