The diagnostic and therapeutic approach to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is multidisciplinary. It involves family doctors, pulmonologists, clinical neurophysiologists, otolaryngologists, dentists, maxillofacial surgeons, neurologists, etc.
A definitive diagnosis of OSA is made by nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) or cardiorespiratory polygraphy (PR), but there are anatomical features that are more common in patients with this condition. Some of these features could be of great value in establishing screening programs and are crucial when selecting patients for surgical treatment, treatment with mandibular advancement devices (MAD), or predicting difficulty in adapting to CPAP treatment.
Objectives
- Analyze the different examinations used to evaluate the upper airway (UA) from an anatomical and functional point of view in patients with suspected OSA.
- Differentiate the following aspects of this examination: Anthropometric examination (obesity and neck circumference (NC)), nasal examination, oral and dental examination, visual or endoscopic examination of the pharynx with the patient awake, radiological examination of the oropharynx, UAW examination with induced sleep (DISE).
Directed to
- Both specialist and general dentists with an interest in orofacial pain, temporomandibular dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea, or post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain.
- Also for physical therapists, maxillofacial surgeons, ENT specialists, neurophysiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, pulmonologists, psychiatrists, endocrinologists, nutritionists, and many others.
