Lingua–epiglottis position predicts glossopharyngeal obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between lingua–epiglottis position and glossopharyngeal obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). One hundred and four patients with OSAHS diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG) were enrolled. Lingua–epiglottis position was visualized using endoscopy and classified into three types. Spiral CT imaging of the upper respiratory tract was performed to measure the cross-sectional area and inner diameter of the glossopharyngeal airway. The PSG was repeated after nasopharyngeal tube insertion (NPT-PSG). The NPT-PSG results, CT-measured data and incidence of stenosis were compared among the different lingua–epiglottis position groups. Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome patients with different lingua–epiglottis positions had similar demographics. As lingua–epiglottis position type varied from type I to type III, cross-sectional area and inner diameter of the glossopharyngeal area decreased, glossopharyngeal airway stenosis rate increased, and apnea hypopnea index measured by NPT-PSG increased. The lowest oxygen saturation decreased. Lingua–epiglottis position was significantly related to glossopharyngeal obstruction. Lingua–epiglottis position should be used in clinical practice for the preliminary assessment of glossopharyngeal obstruction.