Severe obstructive sleep apnea in a patient with spinal muscle atrophy.
Patients with spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) who survive to adulthood experience a slow, continuous loss of motor function but typically have a normal life expectancy. These patients, however, require vigilance on the part of their health-care providers to reverse treatable disorders to maintain a satisfactory quality of life. We report on a patient with obstructive sleep apnea and type 3 SMA. The treatment of his sleep-disordered breathing resulted in the resolution of symptoms that were initially attributed to his neuromuscular disease.
Puruckherr
Michael
M
Veterans Affairs Medical Center 111-B, PO Box 4000, Mountain Home, TN 37684-4000, USA. Ryland.Byrd@med.va.gov
Mehta
Jay B
JB
Girish
Mirle R
MR
Byrd
Ryland P
RP
Roy
Thomas M
TM
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009134:Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology*