Ultrasound Localization and Percutaneous Electrical Stimulation of the Hypoglossal Nerve and Ansa Cervicalis

Abstract

Objective

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be effective for appropriately selected patients, but current patient selection criteria are complex and still result in a proportion of nonresponders. Ansa cervicalis stimulation of the infrahyoid cervical strap muscles has recently been proposed as a new form of respiratory neurostimulation (RNS) therapy for OSA treatment. We hypothesized that percutaneous stimulation of both nerves in humans with temporary electrodes would make testing of the physiologic response to different RNS strategies possible.

Study Design

Nonrandomized acute physiology study.

Setting

Tertiary care hospital.

Methods

Fifteen participants with OSA underwent ultrasonography and placement of percutaneous electrodes proximal to the medial division of the hypoglossal nerve and the branch of the ansa cervicalis innervating the sternothyroid muscle (AC_ST). Procedural success was documented in each participant, as were any failures or procedural complication.

Results

The hypoglossal nerve was successfully localized in 15 of 15 (100%) participants and successfully stimulated in 13 of 15 (86.7%). The AC_ST was successfully localized in 15 of 15 (100%) participants and successfully stimulated in 14 of 15 (93.3%). Stimulation failure of the hypoglossal nerve was due to suboptimal electrode placement in 1 participant and electrode displacement in the other 2 cases. No complications occurred.

Conclusions

The hypoglossal nerve and AC_ST can be safely stimulated via percutaneous electrode placement. Larger trials of percutaneous stimulation may help to identify responders to different RNS therapies for OSA with temporary or permanent percutaneous electrodes. Techniques for electrode design, nerve localization, and electrode placement are described.