FRI improves patient selection for mandibular advancement device treatment

In a recent published study Functional Respiratory Imaging (FRI) was used to assess Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) mechanisms.

MAD are a non-invasive treatment option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and act by increasing the upper airway volume. However, the exact therapeutic mechanism of action remains unclear.

In this study 100 OSA patients were prospectively included and treated with a custom-made MAD.

As a result, it was concluded that MAD acts by increasing the total upper airway volume, predominantly due to an increase in the velopharyngeal volume. Responders showed a significant increase in the total upper airway volume with MAD treatment, while there was no significant increase in non-responders. Findings add evidence to implement functional imaging using CFD in routine MAD outcome prediction.

You can read the pubmed publication here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34608859/