ABSTRACT
AIM:To report a male patient with Pickwickian syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) who presented with pseudotumor cerebri and visual loss. METHODS:Case report.RESULES:A 54-year-old obese man with a three-month history of bilateral visual deterioration was evaluated. His visual acuity was 20/200 in OD and 20/400 in OS. Color vision was impaired only in the left eye. Funduscopy revealed bilateral disc edema and peripapillary hemorrhages together with macular exudates in OS. Physical examination and laboratory investigations were consistent with OSA and Pickwickian syndrome. Lumbar puncture demonstrated an opening pressure of 350mm H2O and computed brain scan was normal. The diagnosis was pseudotumor cerebri in association with OSA and Pickwickian syndrome. Fundus findings and visual acuity improved with phlebotomy, blood pressure regulation, weight reduction and bi-level positive airway pressure therapy. CONCLUSION:OSA and Pickwickian syndrome should be kept in mind when facing a patient with pseudotumor cerebri.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: From November 2006, The national health insurance system in the Republic of Korea began to cover prescribed long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency. This study examined the current status of LTOT after national health insurance coverage. METHODS: Between November 1, 2006 and June 30, 2008, the medical records of patients who were prescribed LTOT by chest physicians were reviewed. The data was collected from 13 university hospitals. RESULTS: 197 patients (131 male and 66 female) were prescribed LTOT. The mean age was 64.3+/-13.0 years. The most common underlying disease was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=103, 52.3%). Chest physicians prescribed LTOT using arterial blood gas analysis or a pulse oxymeter (74.6%), symptoms (14%), or a pulmonary function test (11.2%). The mean oxygen flow rate was 1.56+/-0.68 L/min at rest, 2.08+/-0.91 L/min during exercise or 1.51+/-0.75 L/min during sleep. Most patients (98.3%) used oxygen concentrators. Only 19% of patients used ambulatory oxygen supplies. The oxygen saturation before and after LTOT was 83.18+/-10.48% and 91.64+/-7.1%, respectively. After LTOT, dyspnea improved in 81.2% of patients. The mean duration of LTOT was 16.85+/-6.71 hours/day. The rental cost for the oxygen concentrator and related electricity charges were 48,414+/-15,618 won/month and 40,352+/-36,815 won/month, respectively. Approximately 75% of patients had a regular visit by the company. 5.8% of patients had personal pulse oxymetry. 54.9% of patients had their oxygen saturation checked on each visit hospital. 8% of patients were current smokers. The most common complaint with LTOT was the limitation of daily activity (53%). The most common complaint with oxygen concentrators was noise (41%). CONCLUSION: The patients showed good compliance with LTOT. However, only a few patients used an ambulatory oxygen device or had their oxygen saturation measured.