[A case of Kearns-Sayre syndrome with impaired respiratory regulation]

We reported a case of Kearns-Sayre syndrome with impaired respiratory regulation. A 55-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia, limb muscle weakness and dyspnea. On admission, because arterial blood gas analysis showed marked alveolar hypoventilation, ventilatory response was measured and diminished chemosensitivity to both hypoxia and hypercapnia was found. His vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second were slightly decreased, and a chest X-ray film revealed a moderate degree of elevation of the bilateral diaphragm. Therefore, we considered that the diminished response to hypoxia and hypercapnia in this case was caused by an impairment of the respiratory center, as well as chemoreceptors and also the presence of respiratory muscular weakness.