J Korean Neurol Assoc.  2000 Sep;18(5):645-649.

Central Hypoventilation Syndrome during Awake and Sleep

• Kim HS
• Park SM
• Han SR
• Kim YI

Abstract

Central hypoventilation syndrome (CHS) can be caused by any lesions to the medullary respiratory centers, cerebral cortex, corticospinal pathways, and their connections. We report 5 patients with central hypoventilation syndrome and analyzed 26 patients who experienced central hypoventilation syndrome during sleep and waking states. We compared initial clinical symptoms and signs, maximal neurologic deficits, brain MRI and pathologic findings, and associated autonomic dysfunctions. The patients with respiratory failure during waking states showed quadriplegia, a rapidly progressing respiratory failure. The patients who had automatic respiratory failure showed mild hemiparesis, bulbar dysfunction, dysautonomia, and subacute to chronic recurrent respiratory failures. These results support the concept of two separate respiratory systems: a voluntary system and an automatic system. The respiratory management of these patients with central hypoventilation syndrome should be considered critical to their survival.

Keyword

Central hypoventilation syndrome; Respiratory center; Pyramidal tracts; Magnetic resonance imaging

MeSH Terms

Brain
Cerebral Cortex
Humans
Hypoventilation*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neurologic Manifestations
Paresis
Primary Dysautonomias
Pyramidal Tracts
Quadriplegia
Respiratory Center
Respiratory Insufficiency
Respiratory System