Elongated uvula with a pleomorphic adenoma: a rare cause of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Abstract

The authors encountered a case of elongated uvula with a pleomorphic adenoma originating from the minor salivary gland, causing frequent upper airway obstruction. A 75-year-old woman had obstructive sleep apnea syndrome brought about by the swallowing impact of the pendulous tumor into the hypopharyngeal and supralaryngeal spaces. Although there are some case reports about tumors originating from the uvula, this is the first reported to cause obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.