Relationship between the upper airway and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in morbidly obese women.

BACKGROUND: The authors studied changes in the upper airway in morbidly obese women and the relationship to sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: Patients underwent a cardiorespiratory polygraphic study, respiratory function test (spirometry, plethysmography, maximum inspiratory pressures and arterial blood gas analysis), and computed tomographic studies of the upper airway. RESULTS: 40 morbidly obese women being evaluated for bariatric surgery (mean age 39.6 +/- 9.6 years old, BMI 48.7 +/- 5.6 kg/m2) were studied. 37 women had OSAS, and 14 had severe OSAS. Results on respiratory function tests were normal. BMI and weight had a positive correlation with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), apnea index (AI), desaturation index (DI), lowest oxygen saturation and CT90. Uvula diameter had a negative correlation with FEV1, FVC, VC IN and a positive correlation with TLC. Retropharynx soft tissue at the retropalatal level had a negative correlation with FEV1, FVC and VC IN. The oropharynx area at maximal inspiration (total lung capacity) obtained a negative correlation with the AHI (r = - 0.423, P = 0.044), AI (r = - 0.484, P = 0.042) and DI (r = - 0.484, P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of OSAS in morbidly obese women is very high. Our results show the significant correlation between BMI and AHI in morbidly obese women. Uvula diameter and retropharynx soft tissue are the upper airway parameters with higher relationship with pulmonary function. A reduction in the cross-sectional area of the airway at the level of the oropharynx could be related to the severity of OSAS in morbidly obese women.

[Diffuse lung hemorrhage and necrotizing glomerulonephritis in a case of Wegener's granulomatosis. Diagnostic and therapeutic approach]. / Hemorragia pulmonar difusa y glomerulonefritis necrotizante en un caso de granulomatosis de Wegener. Actitud diagnóstica y terapéutica.

We present the case of a 59 years old male with Wegener's Granulomatosis with uncommon manifestations such as diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage and acute renal failure due to necrotizing glomerulonephritis. Neutrophil anticytoplasmic antibodies determination was negative. Conventional and high resolution thoracic computed tomography showed cavitated lung nodules with small peripheral vessels. These lesions, that are characteristic of this type of vasculitis, were not appreciated on the routine chest roetgenogram. Definitive diagnosis was made by the histological study of open lung and renal biopsies. Favourable response to corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs and hemodialysis was obtained. Diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage is an uncommon manifestation of Wegener's Granulomatosis, and must be considered as a vital emergency that justify the use of aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic methods.