Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Condylar Malformation, Vertebral Column, and Head Posture: A Cephalometric Evaluation

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is by far the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, affecting 2–4% of the adult population. The present study aims to compare the descriptive morphology of the cervical column in subjects with normal craniofacial morphology with those having condylar hypoplasia with OSA and to evaluate a positive correlation between the cervical columns, the cranial base angle, and the posture of the head and neck in subjects of condylar hypoplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study comprised of lateral cephalogram of 40 subjects divided into two equal groups—control groups (n = 20) and OSA with condylar hypoplasia (n = 20). RESULTS AND OBSERVATION: The condylar hypoplasia group has fusion anomalies of 65% and 35% has a posterior arch deficiency. The cervical lordosis, inclination of the cervical column is found to have a positive statistically significant correlation in condylar hypoplasia subjects. CONCLUSION: Morphological deviations and deviation pattern of the cervical column occurred significantly more often in subjects with condylar hypoplasia as compared with normal craniofacial morphology which can be verified by the increased cranial base angle, cervical lordosis, the inclination of the upper cervical spine, and cranial base angle were positively correlated with a fusion of cervical column. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Specific types of craniofacial morphology and head postures such as a reduced posterior airway space, an abnormally long soft palate, a low position of the hyoid bone, and an extended head posture are considered predisposing factors of OSA. As posture of the head and neck is considered to be associated with OSA, OSA may be associated with fusion of the cervical column. Hence, to know the result of malformation in the cervical column prove to be important with regard to phenotypical subdivision, diagnosis, and treatment of OSA. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Divya, Navit P, Singh R, et al. Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Condylar Malformation, Vertebral Column, and Head Posture: A Cephalometric Evaluation. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(S-1):S64–S68.