Incidental Findings on Upper Airway CT Images in Patients with Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Abstract

Background and ObjectiveaaTo evaluate incidental findings and upper airway anatomical factors associated with sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) on upper airway CT (UACT). MethodsaaA total of 378 participants (304 males, 74 females) were evaluated using medical records, UACT, and polysomnography. UACT was performed from the skull base to the carina level of the distal trachea to examine the upper airway. ResultsaaOf the 378 patients evaluated, 74 had lesions that were unrelated to SRBD. Among these patients (male: 59, female: 15) there were 32 cases of sinusitis, 16 cases of thyroid disease, 6 cases of lymphadenopathy, 6 cases of brain lesions, 3 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, 2 cases of vallecular cyst, 1 case of pulmonary nodule, and 9 other cases. In this case, a total of 25 patients underwent medical treatment, and 11 had surgical treatment. ConclusionsaaClinically important diseases can also be detected incidentally from UACT, and it is necessary to carefully evaluate and manage the suspected diseases.