Radiographic Imaging of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Narrative Article

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is defined by repeatedly occurring episodes of apnea or hypopnea, which ultimately leads to the collapse of the airway. This disorder is an alarming one since it has the potential to result in a wide range of health problems, including cardiovascular disease and memory loss. When it comes to providing a full diagnosis, two-dimensional imaging is not sufficient due to the complex structure of the airway. The use of three-dimensional imaging is recommended because it provides a more precise representation of the airway architecture of the patient. Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging are two imaging techniques that have the ability to correctly portray the genuine three-dimensional structure of the airway. However, their application is restricted due to factors such as high radiation dosage and noisy scan techniques. The cone beam computed tomography technique has the capability to produce precise three-dimensional anatomy images of the complete head while exposing the patient to a low amount of radiation.