This study was conducted to pioneer a new technique of diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea using fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) and mask continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), supported by sleep questionnaires and a portable sleep study procedure.
Ten patients suspected of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who needed to undergo FOB for other reasons aside from sleep apnea were diagnosed with OSA by using FOB and CPAP.
From the sleep study, the mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 21 events per hour. All the patients had been using CPAP, and tolerated how the machine operates. Nobody reported any difficulty during the follow-up checkup.
This new technique is not only practical, cost-efficient, time-saving and beneficial for both patient and physician but it may also be considered as the new gold standard in diagnosing OSA.
obstructive sleep apnea, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, mask continuous positive airway pressure
10.31524/bkkmedj.2016.02.001