Ganglioneuroblastoma Presenting As Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a 5-Year-Old Boy

The authors present an interesting case of ganglioneuroblastoma, a tumor of the sympathetic chain, presenting as severe obstructive sleep apnea in a healthy 5-year-old boy. The patient's initial polysomnogram demonstrated an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 86 events/hour. He underwent an adenotonsillectomy at an outside hospital and his repeat AHI was still 62. The patient was nonobese and nonsyndromic appearing, which made his incredibly high AHI perplexing. He underwent sleep endoscopy and direct laryngoscopy for further evaluation, which demonstrated a large mass in the left posterior pharynx. He then underwent surgical excision with a resolution of his obstructive sleep apnea.