Resolution of obstructive sleep apnea after microvascular brainstem decompression.
Lesions of the brainstem have been associated with obstructive sleep apnea in previous reports. We now report a case in which retromastoid craniectomy with microvascular decompression of the medulla and ninth and tenth cranial nerves resulted in the complete resolution of severe obstructive sleep apnea. Possible mechanisms for this observation are discussed.
Hoffman
R M
RM
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Stiller
R A
RA
D001933:Brain Stem / Q000473:pathology*; D005930:Glossopharyngeal Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000473:pathology; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*