Craniofacial abnormalities and their relevance for sleep apnoea syndrome aetiopathogenesis in acromegaly

Obstructive sleep apnoea in acromegaly: the role of craniofacial changes.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is due to craniofacial changes and acromegaly. The question addressed by this study was whether growth hormone (GH) induced craniofacial changes might explain persisting OSA despite endocrine inactivity in acromegaly. Nineteen patients treated for acromegaly were examined cephalometrically for craniofacial changes and polysomnographically for OSA. Twelve patients ...

Successful reversal of sleep apnoea syndrome following treatment for acromegaly, confirmed by polygraphic studies.

A patient with acromegaly was shown to have obstructive sleep apnoea by polygraphic recordings. Following successful hypophysectomy, further recordings demonstrated resolution of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome

Primary sleep apnoea syndrome.

Polygraphic study in 18 men with the sleep apnoea syndrome showed central, upper airway obstructive, and mixed apnoeas. Fifty per cent of the total apnoea time was central, 33% was obstructive, and 17% was mixed. Apnoeic episodes were accompanied by oxygen desaturation, relative bradycardia and hypotonia of orofacial muscles innervated by ponto-medullary neurons. During regular breathing these ...