Oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea in multiple system atrophy with floppy epiglottis: a case series of three patients

Abstract

Purpose: A recent study demonstrated that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may exacerbate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and a floppy epiglottis (FE) as the CPAP promotes downward displacement of the epiglottis into the laryngeal inlet. In this case series, we examined the effectiveness of an oral appliance (OA) for treating OSA in three patients with MSA and an FE.

Methods: Patients with MSA were demonstrated to have an FE on fiberoptic laryngoscopy under sedation using intravenous propofol. The therapeutic intervention was fitting an OA. Polysomnography (PSG) was performed subsequently with the OA in place.

Results: In three patients with MSA, some parameters used to assess the severity of OSA improved with an OA. Both apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and arousal index (ArI) decreased while wearing the OA in two cases while in the third case, apnea index (AI) and cumulative time at peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) below 90% (CT90) decreased, but AHI and ArI increased. The only side effects were transient TMJ discomfort, masseter muscle pain, and tooth discomfort.

Conclusion: OA therapy using a two-piece type mandibular advancement device (MAD) may be a useful treatment intervention for patients with OSA who have MSA and FE.

Keywords: Floppy epiglottis; Multiple system atrophy; Obstructive sleep apnea; Oral appliance.