コウクウナイ ソウチ オ モチイタ ヘイソクガタ スイミンジ ムコキュウ ショウコウグン ノ イチショウレイ

We experienced a case of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) improved by treatment with an oral appliance. The patient was a 60-year-old female with OSAS. Using the polysomnography, we evaluated apnea by AHI (apnea hypopnea index) and the lowest oxygen saturation (SpO_2) ; before and after wearing an oral appliance. Using the cephalometrics radiogram, we evaluated the airway area magnification by comparing the airway area in each part of upper airway ; before and after wearing an oral appliance. Using 3 dimensional-computed tomography (3D-CT), we diagnosed the airway volume magnification by comparing the airway volume behind the soft palate and the tongue ; before and after wearing an oral appliance. The results were as follows ; 1. AHI was improved from 33.8 to 7.6 and the lowest SpO_2 was improved from 82% to 90%. 2. The airway area behind the soft palate and the tongue remarkably increased. 3. Wearing the oral appliance made the airway magnify up to 162%. The above results showed that wearing an oral appliance magnified space of airway, and the bad effect to circulatory organ was decreased by the improvement of apnea. So we recognized that oral appliance therapy was an effective treatment for OSAS