Utilidad de la exploración básica de la vía aérea superior y estructuras vecinas en los pacientes adultos con síndrome de apnea-hipopnea obstructiva del sueño

A B S T R A C T Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a prevalent disease in the general population, associated with an increase in the cardiovascular morbimortality. A basic and/or standardized otolaryngologic exploration could help us to detect the structural abnormalities that alter the upper airway collapsibility and offer a high pre-test risk factor, improve the CPAP adherence or even the possibility of offering alternative treatments. This article offers a revision of the exploration in OSAHS patients. We describe a guideline to identify the main structural abnormalities related to OSAHS. We also include a short algorithm for the diagnosis of OSAHS, when is suspected by primary care physicians.