Three Cases of Obesity-Hypoventilation Syndrome: Pickwickian Syndrome.
10.4046/trd.2002.53.5.561
- Author:
Ji Hyun JUNG
1
;
Sang Haak LEE
;
Young Mee CHOI
;
Soon Seog KWON
;
Young Kyoon KIM
;
Kwan Hyoung KIM
;
Hwa Sik MOON
;
Jeong Sup SONG
;
Sung Hak PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. mdlee@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Pickwickian syndrome;
Obesity;
Hypoventilation
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
2002;53(5):561-568
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Severe obesity can produce a marked impairment of respiratory function. The obesity hypoventilation or Pickwickian syndrome comprises of extreme obesity, alveolar hypoventilation, somnolence, plethora, pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. It is sometimes associated with obstructive sleep apnea but can be distinguished from obstructive sleep apnea by the presence of awake CO2 retention. Alt hough uncommon, it is important to recognize this syndrome because due to its potential life threatening nature and because can be reversed by appropriate treatment. Here, we report 3 cases of obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
