Investigating the Association Between Cervical Vertebral Anomalies and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Through Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Imaging

Abstract Background A comprehensive review of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from a cohort of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patients and a control group without sleep disorders was conducted. Radiological analysis focused on identifying cervical vertebra anomalies. Additionally, clinical data related to OSA severity and symptoms were collected and correlated with the CBCT findings. Method A total of 118 patients were included in this study. The C2, C3, and C4 cervical vertebrae were measured in terms of height, width, area, and sagittal canal diameter. The presence of osteoarthritis between cervical joints was examined. Fusion between both the right and the left facet joints was assessed. The study sample was the experimental group, consisting of patients with OSA and the control group without OSA. Each group consisted of 59 subjects. Results The analysis of C2, C3, and C4 cervical vertebrae revealed that the experimental group had significantly greater values of height, width, and area. The examination of osteoarthritis between cervical joints in the sagittal plane showed that the sagittal canal diameter was significantly greater in the control group than in the experimental group, except for C4. Fusion between the right and left facet joints in the coronal plane was approximately 80% greater in the OSA group than in the control group. Conclusion The study findings indicated that patients with OSA had enlarged cervical vertebrae that resulted in a decrease in the sagittal canal diameter, as well as a decrease in both the intervertebral and facet joint discs.