[Oneirodelirium in paroxysmal hypersomnia with periodic respiration and obstruction of the airway (author's transl)].

Case report on a patient aged 57 with periodic respiration and paroxysmal tendency to fall asleep in daytime. Between sleep and waking he had typical apnoic intervals with passing, but definite, hallucinations. The cause, in accord with the literature, is considered to have been edema of the upper respiratory tract which followed at times on irradiation of a squamous epithelium carcinoma of the roof of the nasopharynx. The psychologic and respiratory disturbances and the attacks of somnolence proved fully reversible after anti-edematous treatment.