Related Experiment Videos
Small B cell lymphocytic lymphoma presenting as obstructive sleep apnea
Yung-An Tsou1, Yuan-Kai Cheng, Chia-Der Lin
1Department of Otolaryngology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. tsou121212@yahoo.com.tw
World Journal of Surgical Oncology
|July 30, 2004
Summary
Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), a rare tonsil malignancy, can present as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This case highlights SLL as an uncommon cause of OSA, often detected incidentally during surgery.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pathology
Background:
- Tonsillar lymphomas are typically large B-cell lymphomas, a high-grade malignancy.
- Small lymphocytic lymphomas (SLL) involving Waldeyer's ring are uncommon.
- Tonsillar lymphoma often presents as unilateral enlargement or ulcerative lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) incidentally diagnosed in a patient presenting with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- To highlight the uncommon presentation of lymphoma as OSA.
Main Methods:
- A 41-year-old male with a 10-year history of snoring and severe OSA underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).
- Physical examination revealed bilateral enlarged tonsils without other significant findings.
- Pathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed incidental SLL.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), indicated by a respiratory disturbance index (RDI) of 66/hour.
- Physical examination and initial symptoms did not suggest malignancy.
- Incidental diagnosis of small B-cell lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) was made post-surgery.
Conclusions:
- Lymphoma can uncommonly present initially as OSA.
- SLL is an indolent malignancy that may be difficult to detect early.
- SLL may be a contributing factor to OSA, as suggested in this case.