Page 91 - Portuguese Journal - SPORL - Vol 61. Nº2

Palatine tonsil neoplasms presenting as

sleep disorders – report of two cases

Clinical Case

Authors Abstract

We report two cases of malignant palatine tonsil
José Pedro Pais tumors presenting with snoring and symptoms of
Núcleo Académico e Clínico de Otorrinolaringologia CUF obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This presentation
Tejo, Portugal
is rarely reported in the literature in patients with
Ana Helena Campos superior aerodigestive tract neoplasms. These
Núcleo Académico e Clínico de Otorrinolaringologia CUF paradigmatic cases highlight the importance
Tejo, Portugal of a systematic evaluation of the aerodigestive
tract in patients with snoring and suspected
Catarina Alves do Vale
Serviço de Anatomia Patológica CUF Descobertas, OSA for the early detection or exclusion of
Portugal malignancy. A multidisciplinary approach that
includes otorhinolaryngologists is essential for the
Cristina Caroça management of OSA.
Núcleo Académico e Clínico de Otorrinolaringologia CUF
Tejo, Portugal Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea; Snoring; Head
and neck cancer; Tonsillar neoplasms; Case report.
Pedro Henriques
Núcleo Académico e Clínico de Otorrinolaringologia CUF
Tejo, Portugal
João Paço Introduction
Núcleo Académico e Clínico de Otorrinolaringologia CUF
Tejo, Portugal Sleep disorders encompass a wide range of
disorders. Obstructive sleep disorders include
obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and
snoring. OSAS results from repeated episodes
of collapse or narrowing of the upper airway
during sleep, associated with breathing effort.
Snoring is the sound produced by the
vibration of the anatomic structures of the
upper aerodigestive tract during sleep and
may or may not be associated with OSAS. It
1
is often a clinical diagnosis, based on both the
patient’s anatomic characteristics that are
potential risk factors as well as the presence
of suggestive symptoms. The diagnosis
2
is confirmed by polysomnography, which
quantifies the frequency and intensity of
apnea/hypopnea episodes. The treatment
should be individualized according to the
Correspondence:
3
José Pedro Pais disease-predisposing factors.
jpcpais123@gmail.com The relationship between sleep disorders and
962360692
Rua Ilha do Pico n. 18 2790-362 Queijas head and neck neoplasms is controversial.
Recent evidence suggests that the therapeutic
or palliative strategies used for head and neck
Article received on November 5, 2022.
Accepted for publication on March 4, 2023. tumors, namely radiotherapy and surgery,

Volume 61 . Nº2 . June 2023 233