Idiopathic central sleep apnea with periodicity presenting as Cheyne-Stokes breathing – Case report

Cheyne-Stokes breathing (CSB) is described by a cyclic variation in breathing with periods of central apneas or hypopneas alternating with periods of hypopneas in a gradual waxing and waning manner. It is usually seen in patients with congestive cardiac failure or neurologic disorders. We describe this rare case of idiopathic central sleep apnea coming in a periodic fashion presenting as CSB pattern without specific causes. Overnight polysomnography test showed central sleep apnea; but cardiac evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain could not find any cause of this sleep-disordered breathing. Idiopathic central sleep apnea usually presents with poor quality of sleep, but many of them easily misdiagnosed and do not get any proper treatment.