[Sleep apnea syndromes and Arnold-Chiari malformation].

The Arnold-Chiari malformation (MAC), ectopic medulla of the cerebral hemispheres, may be the basis of respiratory problems provoked by compression of the respiratory centre. It is associated with numerous respiratory problems in children; there are however few publications related to the association of MAC and ventilatory problems in adults. It was recently suggested and subsequently shown that the syndrome of sleep apnoea (SAS) could occur in relation to MAC. We report a new observation documenting the association of MAC and SAS. The surgical cure of MAC enabling a remission of SAS suggests the existence in this case of a causal relation between the two pathologies. A search for such a malformation by imagery of the occipito-medullary crest should be a part of the work up in SAS when the cause remains undetermined.