Assessment of the calcification of the nuchal ligament and osteophytes of the cervical spine in obstructive sleep apnoea subjects and snorers

Abstract

The previous reports suggest that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is related to metabolic syndrome, mineral metabolism disorders and cardiovascular disease. In addition, a possible relationship between obesity and the calcification of ligaments has been implied. However, the potential link between OSA and the calcification of ligaments has not been directly studied. In this present study, to investigate the potential link between OSA and the calcification of ligaments, we examined the prevalence of the calcification of ligaments in OSA patients and the relationship between these findings and OSA severity. Eighty consecutive patients (60 males, 20 females) diagnosed as OSA or a heavy snorer based on full-night polyso-mnography were retrospectively recruited from May 2006 to July 2008. Each patient underwent cephalometric imaging examination before the arrangement of an oral appliance. One calibrated observer (YS) reviewed the cephalometric images for the presence of calcification of the nuchal ligament and osteophytes of the cervical spine. The prevalence of calcification of the nuchal ligament in OSA patients and snorers was 46.3% (males: 52%, females: 30%) There was a significant positive correlation between the severity of OSA (AHI) and the calcification of the nuchal ligament before and after adjusting for BMI. The prevalence of the calcification of the nuchal ligament in OSA subjects and snorers was higher than in previous studies with non-OSA subjects. In addition, it is suggested that the severity of OSA correlates with the presence of calcification of the nuchal ligament.

The Relationship between Anterior Tubercle of the Atlas to the Adjacent Oropharyngeal Airway Volume: Implication of Normalized Variables and Gender Differences

“…In addition, there are several case reports which regard OSA patients with cervical spinal osteophytes, as one of the causes of airway obstruction [8,9]. [2] In a previous study to investigate the potential link between OSA and the calcification of ligaments, the prevalence of the calcification of ligaments in OSA patients and the relationship between these findings, and OSA severity were examined [10]. They reported that there was a significant positive correlation between the severity of OSA and the calcification of the nuchal ligament, before and after, adjusting for BMI.…”

<p>Costen&rsquo;s syndrome and COPD</p>

“…OSAS causes an abnormal opening of the mouth during the night, with a structural and functional alteration of the neck; there is a close relationship between this syndrome and the decrease in hearing 8,9…”