Acoustic analysis of snoring sound in patients with simple snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea

AbstractObjective:To investigate voice function following Han's uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.Patients and methods:Acoustic and articulatory function was examined by acoustic analysis and by formant frequency and bandwidth analysis, before and after Han's uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, in 56 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome.Results:These patients' normalised noise energy was higher than normal, and improved post-operatively. Their pre-operative F1, F2, and F3 formant frequencies and B1 and B2 formant bandwidths were significantly lower than those of normal controls; however, one month after surgery their F1 and F2 frequencies were markedly higher.Conclusion:The acoustic and articulatory characteristics of obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome patients differed from those of normal subjects. After Han's uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, obstructive factors in the oropharynx were relieved, allowing oropharyngeal cavity expansion and a gradual increase in formant frequency to within the normal range. Patients' vocal quality improved and their resonator and articulator functions were protected and enhanced.

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Sutter® bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of palate for snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea: is one treatment adequate?

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215109004253 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 123 (7) ◽

pp. 750-754 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

K P Pang ◽

J K Siow

Keyword(s):

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea ◽

Randomised Trial ◽

Sleep Apnoea ◽

Bipolar Radiofrequency ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction ◽

Viable Method ◽

Tissue Reduction ◽

Simple Snoring

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the efficacy of bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction, using Sutter® technology, in the treatment of snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea.Design:Prospective, non-randomised trial.Methods:Fifty-two patients with simple snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea underwent bipolar radiofrequency palate reduction under local anaesthesia.Results:All patients were Friedman stage II and III, with tonsil sizes graded as zero, one or two, a mean body mass index of 22.6, and a mean age of 36.2 years. Seventy-seven per cent of patients reported improvement in their snoring; patients' mean snoring level (assessed by visual analogue scale) improved from 8.9 to 3.4 (p < 0.05). Eighty-three per cent of patients reported an improvement in their Epworth sleepiness scale score, from a mean of 14.6 to 9.5. Seven out of the 17 patients (41.2 per cent) met the surgical success criteria (i.e. at least a 50 per cent reduction of the pre-procedure apnoea–hypopnoea index, and a post-procedure apnoea–hypopnoea index of below 15). Patients' mean apnoea–hypopnoea index improved from 13.6 to 9.8, and their mean lowest oxygen saturation improved from 88.3 to 92.5 per cent. Eighty-two per cent of patients reported an improvement in their quality of life as a result of the procedure.Conclusion:One session of Sutter bipolar radiofrequency tissue volume reduction represents a viable method of treating snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea, with good results.

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Electron microscopy study of peripheral nerves in the uvulae of snorers and obstructive sleep apnoea patients

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215108002971 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 123 (2) ◽

pp. 203-207 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

A Bassiouny ◽

S Nasr ◽

M Mashaly ◽

E Ayad ◽

M Qotb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea ◽

Microscopy Study ◽

Sleep Apnoea ◽

Electron Microscopy Study ◽

Degenerative Changes ◽

Nerve Fibres ◽

Airway Narrowing ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Simple Snoring

AbstractHypothesis:The pathophysiology of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea is still unclear. Two theories are proposed. The first is the obstructive theory, which postulates palatopharyngeal muscle hypertrophy leading to airway narrowing; there is no neural role. The second is the neurogenic theory, which postulates neural degeneration due to vibratory stretch trauma, leading to muscle atrophy and collapse. As identification of nerve fibres in the uvula and palate is difficult and time-consuming, all previous studies aiming to differentiate between these two theories have been based on indirect observation of the muscles, rather than direct study of the nerves.Methods:We conducted a prospective study to directly observe and study nerve fibres in uvular specimens from 10 cases of obstructive sleep apnoea, compared with specimens from 10 cases of simple snoring, using transmission electron microscopy. Five autopsy cases served as controls.Results:Obstructive sleep apnoea was associated with definite degenerative changes in myelinated and unmyelinated nerve endings. These degenerative changes were present to a lesser degree and in a smaller proportion of cases of simple snoring.Conclusion:The events postulated by the neurogenic theory of obstructive sleep apnoea appear to play an important role in the pathophysiology of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.

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