Sleep apnea and the Arnold-Chiari malformation.
We present a polysomnogram-documented report of central sleep apnea (427 events) and moderately severe decreases in arterial oxygen saturation (to 81%) associated with the Arnold-Chiari malformation (ACM). Daytime hypersomnolence and other symptoms had significantly impaired our patient's work performance. After surgical correction of the ACM, there was marked improvement in symptomatology. A post-surgery polysomnogram revealed marked improvement in the number of central apneas (74 events) and only mild decreases in oxygen saturation (to 94%).
D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D003399:Craniotomy; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology