Alveolar hypoventilation syndrome in brainstem glioma with improvement after surgical resection

A 3-year-old boy presented with brainstem astrocytoma and central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome. Contrast MRI of the brain showed that the tumor involved the cerebellum, with compression of brainstem, and resolved after surgical resection. Polysomnography performed before and after total tumor resection showed significant improvement in nocturnal respiratory rate, respiratory disturbance index, and oxygen desaturation. It is apparent that central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome secondary to brainstem tumor may improve after surgical resection for those with favorable anatomic location and histology. Serial polysomnography and MRI scans are useful for diagnosis and in the management plan, and to monitor progress.