RESEARCH: Sleep apnea in multiple system atrophy

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Nippon Rinsho 2000 Aug;58(8):1722-7

Sleep apnea in multiple system atrophy

Asahina M, Yamaguchi M, Fukutake T, Hattori T.

Department of Neurology, Chiba University School of Medicine.

Multiple system atrophy(MSA) characterized clinically by any combination of

autonomic, extrapyramidal or cerebellar symptoms and signs. MSA patients

frequently manifest a variety of sleep-related respiratory disturbances,

which are life threatening problems. Above all, a common and serious

complication is upper-airway obstructive sleep apnea associated with

stridor, which is caused by vocal cord abductor paralysis(VCAP). For the

early diagnosis of VCAP, it is important to perform laryngoscopy during

sleep, because VCAP does not appear during awakefulness in the early stage

of MSA. Polysomnographic study should be obtain to assess the severity of

respiratory disturbances. Tracheostomy is reliable treatment for respiratory

disturbances due to VCAP, while nasal continuous positive pressure may be a

useful treatment for some patients.