Abstract
Airway narrowing caused by endotracheal stenosis or glottis dilatation disorder is comparatively rare and a few cases present with the sleep apnea syndrome. We performed a 3-point airway pressure examination to evaluate the occlusion site and the strength of the breathing effort in three cases of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome undergoing nocturnal polysommnography. All three cases showed strong breathing effort, however, the site of airway narrowing differed among the cases. We treated 2 of the three cases successfully by CPAP. It was thought that to elucidate the clinical condition of the three cases diagnostic evaluation should include airway pressure measurement to assess the site of functional airway narrowing, and laryngoscopy and imaging to determine the anatomic site of stenosis.
