Patients with OSAS showed higher values of the volume of tongue (11.8±1.4 vs.
9.1±1.5 sm3),
the volume of soft palate (2.7±0.4 vs.
2.1±0.3 sm3),
the volume of lateral walls at RP region (3.5±0.8 vs.
3.0±0.6 sm3) and the volume of lateral walls at RG region (4.5±0.8 vs.
3.0±0.6 sm3) comparing with the control group,
p<0.05 for all comparisons.
In addition,
patients with OSAS had lower values of the area of maximum airway constriction at the level of both RP (29±7 vs.
38±11 mm2) and RG (42±6 vs.
57±9 mm2) comparing with the control group,
p<0.05 for all comparisons.
Figures 1-2-3 showed midsagittal (1),
axial at the retropalatal region (2) and axial at the retroglossal region (3) MRI scans in patient with OSAS.
MRI showed increase of tongue and soft tissues volumes and upper airways narrowing at both retropalatal and retroglossal regions.
Fig. 1: Midsagittal MR image in patient with OSAS. MRI showed increase of tongue and soft tissues volumes and upper airways narrowing at both retropalatal and retroglossal regions.
Fig. 2: Axial MR image at retropalatal region in patient with OSAS. MRI showed increase of tongue and soft tissues volumes and upper airways narrowing.
Fig. 3: Axial MR image at retroglossal region in patient with OSAS. MRI showed an increase of soft tissues volume and upper airways narrowing.
Figures 4-5-6 showed midsagittal (4),
axial at the retropalatal region (5) and axial at the retroglossal region (6) MRI scans in obese patient without OSAS.
MRI showed significantly smaller volumes of tongue and soft tissues and significantly larger upper airways areas at both retropalatal and retroglossal regions in obese patients without OSAS comparing with obese patients with OSAS.
Fig. 4: Midsagittal MR image in obese patient without OSAS. MRI showed significantly smaller volumes of tongue and soft tissues and significantly larger upper airways areas at both retropalatal and retroglossal regions in obese patients without OSAS comparing with obese patients with OSAS.
Fig. 5: Axial MR image at retropalatal region in obese patient without OSAS. MRI showed significantly smaller volumes of tongue and soft tissues and significantly larger upper airways area in obese patients without OSAS comparing with obese patients with OSAS.
Fig. 6: Axial MR image at retroglossal region in obese patient without OSAS. MRI showed significantly smaller volume of soft tissues and significantly larger upper airways area in obese patients without OSAS comparing with obese patients with OSAS.
Figures 7-8-9 showed midsagittal (7),
axial at the retropalatal region (8) and axial at the retroglossal region (9) MRI scans in normal volunteer without OSAS (excluded from the study).
Fig. 7: Midsagittal MR image in normal volunteer without OSAS (excluded from the study).
Fig. 8: Axial MR image at retropalatal region in normal volunteer without OSAS (excluded from the study).
Fig. 9: Axial MR image at retroglossal region in normal volunteer without OSAS (excluded from the study).