Ansa cervicalis stimulation increases pharyngeal patency in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
David T. Kent, William C. Scott, David L. Zealear, Alan R. Schwartz
Abstract
Ansa cervicalis stimulation (ACS) is a recently proposed neurostimulation mechanism for generating caudal pharyngeal traction that may benefit patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Here, we document endoscopic findings with ACS during drug-induced sleep endoscopy and additionally detail the effects of ACS on expiratory airflow, when the pharynx is known to be most hypotonic.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineHypoglossal nervePharynxObstructive sleep apneaAirwayAnesthesiaStimulationPharyngeal musclesAnatomyTongueInternal medicinePathologyObstructive Sleep Apnea ResearchVoice and Speech DisordersNeuroscience of respiration and sleep