Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Tongue in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Abstract

To examine the geometrical parameters of the tongue in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) based on sex, age and BMI parameters and ultrasound (US) and MRI. The presence of OSA and tongue-based obstruction can be predicted using these parameters. Of 100 patients, 64% were diagnosed with OSA according to overnight polysomnography. MRI and US devices were used to measure tongue parameters. The location of the obstruction was identified using drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using the quadratic discriminant analysis. Men presented higher tongue volumes and axial diameter during Müller’s maneuver (MM) of US and coronal diameter of the MRI. In women, all examined MRI parameters were significantly correlated with apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI). A stronger correlation between BMI and AHI parameters was observed in women than in men. Using our algorithm, which includes tongue parameters and anthropometric values, the presence of OSA could be predicted in 91% with US and 82% with MRI. The detection of tongue-based obstruction was successful in 89% using US and 87% using MRI, whereas tongue-based obstruction was successful in 70% using US. Using MRI and US of the tongue combined with basic anthropometric parameters, the presence of OSA and tongue-based obstruction can be identified with high precision.

Obstructive sleep apnea detection during wakefulness: a comprehensive methodological review

“…However, the DISE succeeded in identifying the incidence of multilevel collapses ( p = 0.001), while the incidence of oropharyngeal obstruction in patients with Mallampati scores I and II was significantly higher in DISE compared to that measured by Müller’s maneuver ( p = 0.021). Some other studies have focused on the ability to use ultrasound or MRI imaging of the tongue for OSA prediction [ 32 , 34 ]. One research [ 34 ] showed the ability of OSA prediction using AI applied to ultrasound imaging of the UA and subcutaneous adipose tissues (SAT) in the regions of the neck, chest, and abdomen measurements [ 35 ].…”

“… Some other studies have focused on the ability to use ultrasound or MRI imaging of the tongue for OSA prediction [ 32 , 34 ]. One research [ 34 ] showed the ability of OSA prediction using AI applied to ultrasound imaging of the UA and subcutaneous adipose tissues (SAT) in the regions of the neck, chest, and abdomen measurements [ 35 ]. The data was collected from 100 individuals, 36 without OSA and 64 with different OSA severity (32 mild, 32 moderately severe) based on their overnight PSG scores, while the DISE was used to determine the obstruction location and configuration.…”

“…Overall, the OSA prediction using the parameters mentioned above had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 91.7%. The second research [ 34 ] extracted geometrical parameters of the tongue from ultrasound and MRI images in OSA subjects based on sex, age, and BMI among 100 individuals (64 with OSA and AHI ≥ 5). The quadratic discriminant analysis was performed, and the results showed males compared to females had higher tongue volumes and axial diameter during Müller’s maneuver of ultrasound and coronal diameter of the MRI.…”

“…Some other studies have focused on the ability to use ultrasound or MRI imaging of the tongue for OSA prediction [ 32 , 34 ]. One research [ 34 ] showed the ability of OSA prediction using AI applied to ultrasound imaging of the UA and subcutaneous adipose tissues (SAT) in the regions of the neck, chest, and abdomen measurements [ 35 ].…”

“…While ultrasound has the worst resolution compared to MRI and CT, some researchers have shown that using only ultrasound image analysis has the potential to identify OSA individuals effectively [ 32 – 34 , 39 ]. The imaging technologies (excluding ultrasounds) discussed above provide valuable insights into the anatomic and physiological changes of the UA due to OSA and provide evidence for various risk factors of OSA.…”