Central neurogenic hyperventilation: a case report and discussion of pathophysiology.

BACKGROUND

Central neurogenic hyperventilation is a rare condition with poorly understood pathophysiology.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a patient with central neurogenic hyperventilation caused by an infiltrative brainstem lymphoma.

CONCLUSION

Based on analysis of this patient and other case reports, we propose that central neurogenic hyperventilation is uniquely the result of infiltrative tumors that stimulate pontine respiratory centers and central chemoreceptors.