[Problems with the abortive Pickwickian syndrome].

In one year among 16 male patients and 24 female patients who were admitted on account of a considerable obesity and the connected with complaints in order to reduce the weight in the hospital, thrice the diagnosis abortive Pickwick-syndrome was made. Apart from the characteristic symptoms of obesity, hypersomnia, periodical breathing in sleep in all three patients smaller anatomical changes in the nasopharyngeal space were found. Secondary cardiopulmonary or cerebral sequels, as they are described in full pictures and late forms of the Pickwick-syndrome, could not be registered. The diagnosis of abortive Pickwick-syndrome, which we made ex juvantibus (reduction of weight), is perhaps more frequent than up to now assumed. Since the pathological disposition for sleep among others is of great importance in the field of transport and occupational medicine and may be prevented only by reduction of weight, which could be confirmed also in our three cases, it is referred to the necessity of an early recognition and treatment.