Gunshot wound to the head: an unusual complication of sleep apnea and bilevel positive airway pressure.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has been associated with motor vehicle accidents and work-related injuries. Proposed mechanisms for this association have included excessive sleepiness, decreased vigilance, inattentiveness, and psychological impairment, all related to the abnormal sleep and nocturnal hypoxia seen in OSAS. This report describes a case of an accidental gunshot wound to the head in an individual with known OSAS who was experiencing progressive cognitive and psychological deterioration due to suboptimal treatment of his sleep-disordered breathing. The literature on the neuropsychological consequences of OSAS is briefly reviewed.
Baron
John
J
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44109, USA.
Auckley
Dennis
D
D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications*