Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies based on MRI or CT have shown that pharyngeal airway (PA) diameter during wakefulness is different between healthy subjects and sleep apnea patients. However, MRI or CT is expensive and is not easily accessible. Conversely, ultrasonography (US) is more accessible and is getting more attention as a point of care technology to assess physiological systems, such as pharynx. Thus, we aim to investigate the feasibility of US to assess the PA size.
Methods: Average PA cross-sectional area (PAXSA) from vellum to glottis was measured by acoustic pharyngometry. To evaluate the PA with US, the transducer probe was placed in a submandibular lateral oblique position, with its superior margin abutting the angle of the left mandible (Fig. 1a). The airway appeared as a curved inverted U-shaped echogenic line during normal respiration (Fig. 1b). We measured the distance between the curved lines and referred to it as the parasagittal anterior-posterior (PAP) diameter. These measurements were performed manually by two technicians.
Results: Among 32 subjects, the PAP diameters were clearly visible in 31 subjects (Age: 43.22±14.89 years, BMI: 28.32±6.20 kg/m2). Reliability analysis of the PAP measurements had an ICC of 0.97 (confidence interval: 0.94-0.98). Furthermore, PAP diameters were significantly correlated with the PAXSA (Fig. 1c).
Discussion: Our preliminary study showed that the US can be used to measure the PA size.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 4178.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020
