A COMPARISON OF ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS AND PATHOLOGIES PREVALENCE IN SINO-NASAL EGION BETWEEN THE PATIENTS AT HIGH RISK AND LOW RISK FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME

Aim: the aim of the present study is to compare the prevalence of anatomical variations and pathologies of sino-nasal region between the patients at high risk and low risk for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by using cone-beam computed tomography. material and method: the study was performed in 50 patients, age of 18-30 years, referred to kırıkkale university, faculty of dentistry, department of oral and maxillofacial radiology between january-june 2014 for routine dental examination. surveys that include identity information, smoking history, the berlin questionnaire and the epworth sleepiness scale were filled with the patients. according to their answers 25 patients were determined as low risk and 25 were determined as high risk. cone-beam computed tomography images were obtained for radiological examinations. results: there were significant differences between risk groups for epworth score and smoking ratio. whereas, no differences were found for the prevalence of anatomical variations and pathologies on sino-nasal region except for mucosal thickening in maxillary sinuses. conclusion: anatomical variations and pathologies on sino-nasal region should not be considered as a primary risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. nasal surgery should only be performed on specific cases.