[Sleep apnea in multiple system atrophy].

Multiple system atrophy(MSA) characterized clinically by any combination of autonomic, extrapyramidal or cerebellar symptoms and signs. MSA patients frequently manifest a variety of sleep-related respiratory disturbances, which are life threatening problems. Above all, a common and serious complication is upper-airway obstructive sleep apnea associated with stridor, which is caused by vocal cord abductor paralysis(VCAP). For the early diagnosis of VCAP, it is important to perform laryngoscopy during sleep, because VCAP does not appear during awakefulness in the early stage of MSA. Polysomnographic study should be obtain to assess the severity of respiratory disturbances. Tracheostomy is reliable treatment for respiratory disturbances due to VCAP, while nasal continuous positive pressure may be a useful treatment for some patients.