Sleep-related laryngospasm

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. 46 - 52
• Main Authors: Aloe, F S, Thorpy, M J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO 01.03.1995; Academia Brasileira de Neurologia (ABNEURO)
• Subjects: Adult; Asphyxia - etiology; espasmo de cordas vocais; estridor; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux - complications; Humans; laringospasmo; Laryngismus - diagnosis; Laryngismus - etiology; Male; Middle Aged; NEUROSCIENCES; Polysomnography; PSYCHIATRY; Respiratory Sounds - etiology; Sleep Apnea Syndromes - etiology; sono; sufocamento; Tachycardia - etiology; Vocal Cords - physiopathology; sleep; espasmo de cordas vocais; estridor; laryngospasm; sono; stridor; vocal cord spasm; sufocamento; laringospasmo; choking
• ISSN: 0004-282X; 1678-4227; 0004-282X
• DOI: 10.1590/S0004-282X1995000100008

Seven patients (mean age 46.6; range 33-58; 6M,1F) presented with sleep-related choking episodes and were found to have features in common that distinguished them from other known causes of choking episodes during sleep. The characteristic features include: an awakening from sleep with an acute choking sensation, stridor, panic, tachycardia, short duration of episode (less than 60 seconds), infrequent episodes (typically less than 1 per month), and absence of any known etiology. The disorder most commonly occurs in middle-aged males who are otherwise healthy. In one patient an episode of laryngospasm was polysomnographically documented to occur during stage 3. The clinical features and the polysomnographic findings suggest spasm of the vocal cords of unknown etiology.