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Chronic lymphatic leukaemia presenting as severe obstructive sleep apnoea
Author(s) -
NOLAN P
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1843.1996.tb00046.x
Subject(s) - medicine , continuous positive airway pressure , tonsillectomy , lymphatic system , obstructive sleep apnea , positive pressure , sleep (system call) , disease , anesthesia , pediatrics , pathology , computer science , operating system
A case of adenotonsillar enlargement from chronic lymphatic leukaemia leading to severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is described. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) therapy was poorly tolerated because even at high pressures (+ 15 cm H 2 O) obstructive hypopnoeas persisted. Tonsillectomy resulted in significant improvement, though OSA persisted. nCPAP was reintroduced and at low pressures (+ 6 cm H 2 O) was efficacious in alleviating the patient's symptoms. This report highlights the need to consider OSA as a cause of constitutional symptoms in adults with lymphoreticular disease, especially where there is involvement of Waldeyer's ring.