[The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is not only bad for the heart!]

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is common in the general population, particularly in the elderly. This syndrome is frequently responsible for severe cardiovascular complications. However, the indications for its treatment in the elderly remain controversial. We report the case of a 79-year-old man with severe, undiagnosed OSA who inhaled his fixed dental bridge during sleep. The inhaled foreign body came to rest in the lumen of the left main stem bronchus. The association of obesity with a body mass index of 30kg/m², snoring with breathing pauses reported by his partner, nocturia, morning headache and an Epworth score of 11 led to polysomnography which confirmed OSA with an apnoea/hypopnoea index of 53 per hour. This case report emphasises that OSA may constitute a risk fact for foreign body inhalation in elderly subjects due to arousal-induced hyperventilation following the apnoeic event.

Keywords: Corps étranger; Elderly subject; Foreign body; Inhalation; Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome; Sujet âgé; Syndrome d’apnées-hypopnées obstructives du sommeil.