Applications of acoustic pharyngometry in screening of the sleep-disordered breathing

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Acoustic pharyngometry is an inexpensive, quick, non-invasive, and easily repeatable method for localizing the upper airway obstruction in sleep-related breathing disorders. АIМ: The purpose of this study was to describe the general characteristics of the method of acoustic pharyngometry and to illustrate its differential-diagnostic role concerning the extent of the pharyngeal dysfunction for the first time in Bulgaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Between April 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019, a total of 400 adult subjects, 272 males and 128 females, at a mean age of 50.8±14.1 years from the city of Varna underwent screening examinations for OSA and snoring by using acoustic pharyngometry with Eccovision® acoustic pharyngometer. The acoustic pharyngometric findings of healthy subjects and patients with pharyngeal dysfunction were illustrated and discussed. RESULTS: There were considerable differences between the values of the pharyngeal volume, mean and minimal cross-sectional areas and minimal distance in healthy subjects and patients with slightly expressed and severe pharyngeal dysfunction causing sleep-related breathing disorders. CONCLUSION: The detection of these differences in terms of the main acoustic pharyngometric parameters between normal subjects and patients with pharyngeal dysfunction proves that a much broader acoustic pharyngometry application for the screening and early diagnosis of these socially significant disturbances in Bulgaria is undoubtedly beneficial.