Retropharyngeal lipoma causing obstructive sleep apnoea.

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Sleep Medicine
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder often linked to airway obstruction.
• Retropharyngeal lipomas are rare benign tumors located in the space behind the pharynx.
• Lipomas in this location are infrequently associated with significant clinical manifestations like OSA.

Observation:

• A middle-aged male patient presented with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea.
• Diagnostic investigations revealed a retropharyngeal lipoma as the cause of his airway obstruction.
• The lipoma's size and location were directly implicated in the pathogenesis of his OSA.

Findings:

• Transoral excision of the retropharyngeal lipoma was successfully performed.
• Post-operatively, the patient experienced complete resolution of his obstructive sleep apnoea.
• This case adds to the limited literature, marking the seventh reported instance of a retropharyngeal lipoma causing OSA.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering rare causes of OSA, even in the presence of typical risk factors.
• Demonstrates the efficacy of surgical intervention for OSA secondary to retropharyngeal lipomas.
• Contributes to the understanding of the clinical spectrum and management of retropharyngeal lipomas.