Journal of Sleep Medicine  2016;13(1):28-30

doi:10.13078/jsm.16005

Sleep-Related Laryngospasm Caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux.

Cheol Won JANG 1 ; Zoon Yup KIM ; Ki Hwan JI

Affiliations

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Keywords

Laryngospasm; Gastroesophageal reflux; Polysomnography

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Sleep-related laryngospasm is a rare cause of sleep-related breathing disturbance which produce stridor or interruption of airflow associated with a distinct polysomnography arousal pattern. We report a case of a sixty-five-year-old woman who was referred for awakenings with abrupt respiratory distress and fear of suffocation. A polysomnography showed a total or near-total cessation of airflow, followed by choking and stridor for several minutes with a rapid increase in heart rate. Temporary hoarseness was seen. The esophageal pH monitoring indicated acid reflux, which confirmed gastroesophageal reflux disease. The protonpump inhibitor eliminated the sleep-related laryngospasm.