The Value of a Well-Trained Ear: Incidental Detection of Catathrenia on Home Sleep Apnea Tests in Patients With Low Probability for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

We report two cases of catathrenia incidentally detected in patients with low to intermediate risk of obstructive sleep apnea, in which diagnostic polysomnography was recommended but denied by insurers. Events were automatically scored as central apneas, leading to diagnostic uncertainty. The key to identification of catathrenia in both patients was combination of audio review of events, pattern of expiratory air trapping, and mismatch between central apnea flow signal attenuation and increased sound noted on audio amplitude signal. Diagnostic polysomnography was ordered in both cases for confirmation of diagnosis, leading to increased care costs.Citation:Kazaglis L. The value of a well-trained ear: incidental detection of catathrenia on home sleep apnea tests in patients with low probability for obstructive sleep apnea.J Clin Sleep Med. 2018;14(12):2083–2086.
Source: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine : JCSM - Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: research