Polysomnography in patients with intracranial tumors before and after operation

Objective - To evaluate the breathing and sleep patterns in patients with brain tumors before and after operation, and assess their relation to the location and size of the tumor, as well as to the post-operative outcome. Methods - Polysomnographic studies were performed in 11 patients with intracranial tumors (nine supra- and two infratentorial) before and after surgery. Results - Pre-operatively, the mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 23.3. Six patients demonstrated signs of obstructive sleep apnea (SA) and one had mixed obstructive and central type SA. After operation, the mean AHI decreased to 8.1(P < 0.05). The duration of random eye movement sleep stage increased after tumor removal (P < 0.04). No relation was found between the characteristics of the tumor, nor the post-operative outcome and SA. Conclusions - Patients with brain tumors often suffer from SA and this can further worsen their symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure. Removal of the tumor results in a substantial decrease in sleep-related disturbances and may thus play a role in clinical recovery.