Associations between craniofacial morphology, head posture, and cervical vertebral body fusions in men with sleep apnea

TY - JOUR

T1 - Associations between craniofacial morphology, head posture, and cervical vertebral body fusions in men with sleep apnea

AU - Svanholt, Palle

AU - Petri, Niels

AU - Wildschiødtz, Gordon

AU - Sonnesen, Liselotte

AU - Kjaer, Inger

N1 - Keywords: Adult; Aged; Atlanto-Occipital Joint; Cephalometry; Cervical Vertebrae; Facial Bones; Head; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Male; Mandible; Middle Aged; Nasopharynx; Polysomnography; Posture; Skull; Sleep Apnea Syndromes; Snoring; Spinal Diseases; Vertical Dimension

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze craniofacial profiles and head posture in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) subgrouped according to cervical column morphology. METHODS: Seventy-four white men aged 27 to 65 years (mean, 49.0 years) diagnosed with OSA in sleep studies by using overnight polysomnography were included. Only patients with apnea-hypopnea index scores between 5.1 and 92.7 (mean, 36.4) were included. Lateral profile radiographs in standardized head posture were taken, and cephalometric analyses of sagittal and vertical jaw relationships were made. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to fusion in the cervical vertebrae: group I, no fusions (42 subjects); group II, fusion of cervical vertebrae 2 and 3 (15 subjects); group III, occipitalization (10 subjects); and group IV, block fusion (11 subjects). Mean differences of craniofacial dimensions between the groups were assessed by unpaired t tests. RESULTS: No significant differences were seen between groups I and III. Between groups I and II, significant differences were seen in jaw relationship (P < 0.05). Between groups I and IV, anterior face height and mandibular length deviated significantly. No significant differences were seen in head posture. CONCLUSIONS: OSA patients with block fusions in the cervical vertebrae and fusion of 2 vertebrae differed significantly in craniofacial profile from other OSA patients.

AB - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze craniofacial profiles and head posture in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) subgrouped according to cervical column morphology. METHODS: Seventy-four white men aged 27 to 65 years (mean, 49.0 years) diagnosed with OSA in sleep studies by using overnight polysomnography were included. Only patients with apnea-hypopnea index scores between 5.1 and 92.7 (mean, 36.4) were included. Lateral profile radiographs in standardized head posture were taken, and cephalometric analyses of sagittal and vertical jaw relationships were made. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to fusion in the cervical vertebrae: group I, no fusions (42 subjects); group II, fusion of cervical vertebrae 2 and 3 (15 subjects); group III, occipitalization (10 subjects); and group IV, block fusion (11 subjects). Mean differences of craniofacial dimensions between the groups were assessed by unpaired t tests. RESULTS: No significant differences were seen between groups I and III. Between groups I and II, significant differences were seen in jaw relationship (P < 0.05). Between groups I and IV, anterior face height and mandibular length deviated significantly. No significant differences were seen in head posture. CONCLUSIONS: OSA patients with block fusions in the cervical vertebrae and fusion of 2 vertebrae differed significantly in craniofacial profile from other OSA patients.

U2 - 10.1016/j.ajodo.2009.02.011

DO - 10.1016/j.ajodo.2009.02.011

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19524827

SN - 0889-5406

VL - 135

SP - 702.e1-9; discussion 702-3

JO - American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

JF - American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

IS - 6

ER -