Sleep Apnea Syndrome Caused by Acromegalia and the Treatment with a Reduction Plasty of the Tongue

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was every likely caused by an enlarged tongue in a 60-year-old man with acromegalia. The diagnosis was confirmed by polygraphic sleep recordings and by roentgenologic examination. The patient was treated with a tongue-reduction plasty which gave him good subjective relief and better sleep. A whole night polygraphic sleep recording showed a couple of hours of normal sleep without apneas or arousals. The last part of the night was, however, still disturbed by several apneas with concomitant arousals.