Obstructive sleep apnea and abnormal cephalometric measurements. Implications for treatment.

The position of the hyoid bone, which anchors much of the tongue musculature, is often abnormally low in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Cephalometric measurements, frequently used to measure SNA and SNB angles, can also provide information on the posterior airway space (PAS), the mandibular plane, and the hyoid bone. This information is useful in determining the appropriate surgical treatment for OSAS patients.