If you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and are considering treatment options, the key to a successful outcome is proper diagnosis to address the specific sites and levels of airway obstruction. In many patients, it is not possible to completely evaluate all of the anatomic areas responsible for airway narrowing, vibration (snoring), or complete obstruction (apnea) while you are awake.
In the throat, there are four major areas that can be responsible:
Palate (Velum)
Lateral pharyngeal wall (Oropharynx)
Tongue
Epiglottis
While an overnight sleep study is important for identifying the problem, Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) can be extremely insightful in: Precisely identifying site of obstruction
Predicting response to oral appliance, CPAP, and surgery
Demonstrating factors that interfere with use of CPAP
Evaluation of mouth breathing vs. nasal breathing.
With a thin flexible camera inserted through the nose, we are able to examine the entire upper airway and visualize the specific sites of obstruction- taking out the guess work. The information obtained will help determine which specific structures seem to be playing a major role in airway obstruction and which treatment option would have optimal success.
Precise diagnosis allows for targeted and effective treatment.
Learn more about this simple precision diagnostic tool/procedure.
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