INTRODUCTION: Solitary fibrous tumor is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm that may be found in any location. To date, only a few cases of solitary fibrous tumor involving the tongue have been reported. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 31-year-old man with a history of progressively worsening snoring and daytime sleepiness. Polysomnography revealed severe obstructive sleep apnea. An attempt to treat sleep apnea by continuous positive airway pressure and oral appliance led to a poor clinical response. CT and MRI scans findings revealed a large mass in the tongue base partially obstructing the airway. After the excision of the mass all symptoms, included daytime somnolence, disappeared and a polysomnographic examination showed the normalization of the somnographic parameters. DISCUSSION: Although OSA is rarely caused by tumors, each patient with sleep disorders breathing should be examined carefully for the potential presence of an upper aero-digestive tract neoplasm that may contribute to obstruction.
INTRODUCTION: Solitary fibrous tumor is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm that may be found in any location. To date, only a few cases of solitary fibrous tumor involving the tongue have been reported. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 31-year-old man with a history of progressively worsening snoring and daytime sleepiness. Polysomnography revealed severe obstructive sleep apnea. An attempt to treat sleep apnea by continuous positive airway pressure and oral appliance led to a poor clinical response. CT and MRI scans findings revealed a large mass in the tongue base partially obstructing the airway. After the excision of the mass all symptoms, included daytime somnolence, disappeared and a polysomnographic examination showed the normalization of the somnographic parameters. DISCUSSION: Although OSA is rarely caused by tumors, each patient with sleep disorders breathing should be examined carefully for the potential presence of an upper aero-digestive tract neoplasm that may contribute to obstruction.
Authors: G Sorrenti; O Piccin; G Scaramuzzino; S Mondini; F Cirignotta; A Rinaldi Ceroni Journal: Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 2.124