Edema in the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the histologic alte rations in the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndro me. Study design. Surgical specimens were obtained during non-laser-assisted uv ulopalatopharyngoplasty from 5 adult patients (4 male and 1 female) with po lysomnographically confirmed obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Results. In all of the specimens, interstitial edema was present with mild inflammatory reaction. Fat was not at all prominent. Conclusions. It is confirmed histologically that there is edema present in the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. It is u ncertain whether this edema is one of the causative mechanisms of the obstr uction or a consequence of the syndrome.