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Case Reports
. 2017 Nov;14(6):361-365.

Effect of Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea by Uvulopalatoplasty on Seizure Outcomes: A Case Report

Gholamreza Shirani  1 , Mahnaz Arshad  2 , Xaniar Mahmoudi  3 , Sergic Azarians  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Effect of Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea by Uvulopalatoplasty on Seizure Outcomes: A Case Report

Gholamreza Shirani et al. J Dent (Tehran). 2017 Nov.

Abstract

It is estimated that one-third of the people with refractory epilepsy suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In a patient presenting with OSA symptoms and epilepsy, removing a portion of the soft palate (uvulopalatoplasty) can be considered the treatment of choice for eliminating the OSA and decreasing the seizures. Here, we report the results of our surgical approach by which the patient's problems completely resolved, and we observed no symptoms of OSA or epilepsy after the surgery. After 10 years of follow-up, the patient is seizure-free and does not need any antiepileptic drugs.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Seizure; Sleep Apnea.

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Figures

Fig. 1:
Fig. 1:
Preoperative intraoral view of the soft palate
Fig. 2:
Fig. 2:
Preoperative EEG showing focal dysrhythmia and scattered sharp waves during hyperventilation
Fig. 3:
Fig. 3:
Postoperative intraoral view of the soft palate
Fig. 4:
Fig. 4:
Postoperative EEG showing sharp waves at the level of the trachea
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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