Laryngeal obstruction and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome has been studied intensively since it was introduced in the 1970's; these studies have shown that the site of upper airway obstruction appears to vary among patients. Snoring is typically defined as the sound created by rhythmic oscillations of the soft palate in the inspiratory air stream during sleep. Snoring occurs in 100% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea and, for selected patients, is treatable by surgery. Snoring can, however, mean different things to different patients and physicians. Five atypical cases of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome are presented in which laryngeal dysfunction played a role in producing symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Recording nocturnal sounds during sleep and examining the entire upper respiratory tract may be important in determining appropriate medical or surgical management.