title: Polygraphic study of periodic breathing and hypersomnolence in a patient with severe hypothyroidism.
abstract: A 67-year-old woman with primary hypothyroidism, who had Pickwickian syndrome as well, was studied electrophysiologically. A polygraphic study with simultaneous recordings of electroencephalography, actograms of the abdominal walls, the mentum and the anterior neck, and electromyogram of the intercostal muscles revealed a cyclic appearance of apnea in the sleep phase and gasping preceding arousal, which, together with macroglossia and sleep in the sitting position, suggested a cyclic obstruction of the upper airway. The obstruction appeared responsible for both alveolar hypoventilation and disturbance of consciousness.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010845:Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011187:Posture; D012119:Respiration; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*