title: [Nocturnal choking sensation].
abstract: There are many different types of sleep disorders. The majority of sleep-related breathing disorders can be attributed to sleep apnoea syndrome. Nocturnal choking sensation is a different symptom, for which we present two cases. Nocturnal choking sensation is a terrifying symptom for the patient and the diagnostic approach can be challenging. Aside from sleep choking syndrome, this symptom may appear with nocturnal laryngospasm, insular epilepsy and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux. A thorough patient history and observation of the nocturnal event, sometimes supported by EEG findings, may provide the clue to the diagnosis. These kinds of nocturnal symptoms are best analyzed in a clinic specialized in both epilepsy and sleep disorders.
authors.affiliation: Medisch Spectrum Twente, afd. Neurologie, Enschede.
authors.forename: Rob J G
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Busger op Vollenbroek
authors.forename: Al W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: de Weerd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007826:Laryngismus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology