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Previous Volume 354:977-978 March 2, 2006 Number 9 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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To the Editor: The discussion of the rigid spine syndrome by Janssen et al. (Nov. 3 issue)¹ clearly illustrates the pathophysiology of alveolar hypoventilation. However, I am somewhat puzzled by the clinical assessment. Cyanosis is generally detectable with 5 g per deciliter of deoxygenated hemoglobin. This patient had polycythemia with a hematocrit of 63 percent and a pulse oximetry reading of 55 percent. These values should translate to approximately 9.5 g per deciliter of deoxygenated hemoglobin, consistent with a very cyanotic patient, and not compatible with the statement, "A cursory physical examination showed no abnormalities."

Has modern technology eliminated our . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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