Coexisting central and obstructive sleep apnea and mild diurnal hypoventilation associated with unilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction and brainstem lesion

Abstract

A 63-year old man was diagnosed with coexisting central (CSA) and obstructive (OSA) sleep apnea, crescendo-decrescendo (CD) periodic breathing (PB), frequent sustained desaturation hypoxemia events related to prolonged hypopnea and mild diurnal hypoventilation. Unilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction (DD) related to diabetic phrenic neuropathy was identified. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the head disclosed frontal-subcortical white matter (WM) lesions, while brainstem MRI found a small punctiform defect in the median area of the pons. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy was ineffective, while a one-month bi-level positive airway pressure (BIPAP) trial provided better outcomes.