IADR Abstract Archives

Osteophytes and Ligamentum Nuchae Calcification in OSA patients

Objectives: The association between diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been pointed out in previous studies. However no reports have been provided on the relation between OSA and Barsony's disease, the ossification of the ligamentum nuchae. Accordingly, the goals of the present study were to further define the prevalence of calcification in the ligamentum nuchae and osteophytes on the cervical spine in OSA patients and snorers, and to determine whether these two craniofacial structural findings correlate with the severity of OSA. Methods: Eighty consecutive patients (60 males, 20 females) were retrospectively recruited from May 2006 to July 2008. Based on a full-night polysomnography (PSG), they had either been diagnosed as OSA or a heavy snorer. Each patient underwent cephalometric imaging examinations before the arrangement of an oral appliance. The points of inquiry were the calcification of the ligamentum nuchae and osteophytes on the cervical spine. We measured the length of the calcified ligamentum nuchae, and counted the number of vertebra which had an osteophyte. Results: The major finding of this present study was that, the prevalence rate of ossification in the ligamentum nuchae in OSA patients and snorers was higher than in the previous studies (46.3%). It was particularly more prevalent in males, (Males: 51.7% Females: 30.0%). There was a positive correlation between BMI and the length of the calcified ligamentum nuchae (p=.013). There was a significant positive correlation between the prevalence of calcification in the ligamentum nuchae and the presence of osteophytes on the cervical spine (p=.004). Furthermore, there was a significant positive partial correlation between AHI and the calcification of the ligamentum nuchae after adjusting for BMI and gender (p=.029). Conclusion: In conclusion, this present study suggests that the severity of OSA correlates with the incidence of calcification in the ligamentum nuchae.
IADR/PER General Session
2010 IADR/PER General Session (Barcelona, Spain)
Barcelona, Spain
2010
28
Diagnostic Sciences
  • Ando, Eriko  ( Tsurumi University, Yokohama, N/A, Japan )
  • Shigeta, Yuko  ( Tsurumi University, Yokohama, N/A, Japan )
  • Ogawa, Takumi  ( Tsurumi University, Yokohama, N/A, Japan )
  • Nejima, Jun  ( Tsurumi University, Yokohama, N/A, Japan )
  • Enciso, Reyes  ( University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA )
  • Clark, Glenn T.  ( University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA )
  • Oral Session
    Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
    07/14/2010