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Adult obstructive sleep apnea related to nasopharyngeal obstruction: a case of retropharyngeal lipoma and pathogenetic considerations

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Abstract

Cervico facial lipomas are relatively rare and only a few of them affect retropharyngeal space. Because of their slow growth rate, they can reach large size before causing respiratory disturbances and surgery is the treatment of choice. We present a case of 73-year-old female patient with severe obstructive sleep apnea [Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) = 43; mean SaO2 = 84%; lowest SaO2 = 60%; time of sleep with SaO2<90% = 35%]. Computed tomography scan showed a low attenuation bilobed retropharyngeal mass (5 × 2 × 2.5 cm) compatible with lipoma, extending from the nasopharynx to the superior bound of the oropharynx (at the level of C2–C3 passage). Removal of the tumor cured the obstructive sleep apnea; the sleep study at 1 month follow-up showed the normalization of the somnographic parameters (AHI = 12; lowest SaO2 = 76%; mean SaO2 = 95%; time of sleep with SaO2<90% = 4%).

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Correspondence to Ottavio Piccin.

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Piccin, O., Sorrenti, G. Adult obstructive sleep apnea related to nasopharyngeal obstruction: a case of retropharyngeal lipoma and pathogenetic considerations. Sleep Breath 11, 305–307 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-007-0129-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-007-0129-7

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