TO TREAT OR NOT TO TREAT, CHEYNE-STOKES RESPIRATION IN A YOUNG ADULT WITH VASCULAR ENCEPHALOPATHY

Ideggyogy Sz. 2016 Jan 30;69(1-2):66-72. doi: 10.18071/isz.69.0066.

Abstract

Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) is a form of sleep-disordered breathing characterised by recurrent central sleep apnoea alternating with a crescendo-decrescendo pattern of tidal volume, relatively rare observation in sleep labs. It is mainly seen in severe heart failure and stroke. We report the case of a young man with CSR after sudden onset of seizure in the context of hypertensive exacerbation leading to the diagnosis of a leukoencephalopathy, and comment on differential diagnoses, prognostic and therapeutic outcomes. The very uniqueness of this case consists in the extremely young age for developing a vascular encephalopathy in the absence of genetic diseases and without previous diagnosis of hypertension. There is no adequate explanation for the origin of vascular encephalopathy; also there is lack of evidence regarding the benefits and modality of treatment for CSR in neurologic diseases. Thus, we were forced to find the best compromise in a nocturnal oxygen therapy and follow-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / blood supply*
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Cheyne-Stokes Respiration / etiology*
  • Cheyne-Stokes Respiration / therapy*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Leukoencephalopathies / complications*
  • Leukoencephalopathies / diagnosis*
  • Leukoencephalopathies / pathology
  • Leukoencephalopathies / physiopathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Oxygen / administration & dosage*
  • Oxygen Inhalation Therapy*
  • Polysomnography
  • Prognosis
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sleep*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • White Matter / pathology

Substances

  • Oxygen