MGH Sleep Center
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    • Matt Bianchi, MD, PhD, MMSc
    • Leonard B. Kaban, DMD, MD, FACS
    • Bernard Kinane, MD
    • Aleksandar Videnovic, MD
    • John W. Winkelman, MD, PhD
    • Michael J. Prerau, Ph.D.
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Services Offered

Diagnostic PSG 
 Split-Night PSG
   PAP Titrations 
   PAP-Nap 
   Mask Fitting/Desensitization Clinic
   MSLT 
 MWT

Diagnostic PSG
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A full night of recording, without any PAP therapy.  Most patients referred for sleep apnea will be evaluated in the first half of the night, to determine if they have sufficient number of events to warrant a PAP trial on the same night (ie, a split-night study).  Patients referred for insomnia or motor restlessness or other reasons may have a full-night diagnostic to maximize the amount of information obtained. In all cases we evaluate whether a treatment trial is warranted, as occult OSA is sometimes found even in unexpected cases.

Split-Night PSG
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A test consisting of a diagnostic period, followed by a PAP treatment trial.  The benefit of the split night is that it can expedite the process.  The limitation of a split night is the potential for limited information in the diagnostic portion, as well as the potential for insufficient time in the titration portion to optimize pressures.


PAP Titrations
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A full night of PAP use, in which different pressure levels, as well as type of delivery (CPAP vs BiPAP for example) are tested.


PAP-Nap
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This is an option to have a few hours in the afternoon to undergo titration with a mask.  This option may be useful for individuals who work nights, or if spending the night is not feasible. 

Mask Fitting/Desensitization Clinic
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This option involves a usually brief (<30 minutes) visit by appointment with our sleep technologists during business hours to optimize the mask interface.  It may be a useful intermediate step for those having difficulty tolerating their mask at home, before needing to repeat an overnight titration study. 


MSLT
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Multiple nap opportunities at 2 hour intervals throughout the day following an overnight PSG.  The MSLT is used to quantify the degree of sleepiness, as indicated by the latency to fall asleep during the naps.  It is also used to determine if REM sleep is seen during 2 or more naps, which is supportive of the diagnosis of narcolepsy.


MWT
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Multiple periods during the day in which the patient is asked to try to stay awake (in contrast to the MSLT, in which the patient is asked to try to fall asleep).  This test may be used to estimate safety for driving or for work, and some employers take this test as an indicator of fitness for service.  However, the validity of this test in terms of predicting performance is not well established.

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