Sleep apnoea syndrome caused by neurofibromatosis and superior vena caval obstruction

Abstract

Superior vena caval (SVC) obstruction is usually caused by malignant conditions but benign causes have been reported in as many as 26% of cases. We describe a patient with mediastinal neurofibromata who developed SVC obstruction, upper airways oedema, and gross sleep apnoea syndrome. We can find no previously documented cases of sleep apnoea caused by SVC obstruction.