Differential diagnosis of obstructive and central sleep apnea in polysomnographic investigation

Aim. To try validity of polysomnography in differential diagnosis of obstru ctive and central sleep apnea (SA). Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis was made of 138 cases of sl eep apnea (SA) subjected to polysomnography. 79 of them were treated with c ontinuous positive pressure. Results. In clinical practice it is rather difficult to distinguish between central and obstructive SA. In this respect, polysomnography was also unre liable as if is predisposed to hyperdiagnosis of central SA. Conclusion. In SA diagnosis, polysomnography should be used in combination with other diagnostic methods. In indeterminate diagnosis, a test course of the positive pressure is recommended to exclude obstructive SA.