Abstract
Objective: Evaluate digital still images and video recordings utilising narrow-band imaging (NBI) in order to assess whether this modality of fiberoptic investigation can be used to predict a relationship between increased superficial vasculature of the upper airway in patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Method: Prospective study with patients allocated in to 3 groups. Twenty-five subjects (30-77 years) had still photographs taken in normal and narrow-band light settings of their oropharynx-palatal and tongue base views. All images were compared to normal controls.
Results: Distinct patterns of hyperemia were seen in the regions of posterior pharyngeal wall, tongue base and epiglottis in some patients. It was also noted that the oral surface of the soft palate and tonsillar region vascular pattern was different in the three groups.
Conclusion: NBI has recently been used to diagnose neoplasia in-vivo in the upper aerodigestive tract, colon, esophagus and lung. Our study explored an additional role to see if NBI with magnifying endoscopy (NBI-ME) could also help predict likelihood of snoring and severity of OSA as well as response to treatment.
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