Management of acute tongue swelling
Published on: 14th July, 2020
OCLC Number/Unique Identifier: 8631718785
Background: Tongue swelling often presents as an acute upper airway obstruction.
Aim: To present a case series of patients presenting with an acute tongue swelling sharing our experience in managing these patients.
Subjects and methods: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients presenting acutely to the emergency department (ED) at two institutions in Scotland. All patients were evaluated by an otolaryngologist for probable causes of tongue swelling. Data were collected on demographics, co-morbidities, clinical history, examination findings, acute airway management and subsequent care the patients needed.
Results: A total of 32 patients (mean age ± STD, 61.6 ± 18.8; 65% male) were included in the study from two teaching hospitals. The most common presenting symptoms were difficulty in speaking (30/32, 94%) and dysphagia (27/32, 84%). Breathing difficulty was only observed in 8 of 32 patients (25%). Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor’s induced angioedema was the most common cause (45%) for acute tongue swelling. Three (9.4%) patients required intubation; 2 (6.3%) on initial presentation. Two patients had emergency tracheostomy for breathing difficulties due to supraglottic swelling on flexible pharyngolaryngoscopy.
Conclusion: Acute tongue swelling is a life-threatening condition. The patients on ACE inhibitors would appear to be at higher risk of developing acute tongue swelling. Such patients with potentially compromised airway need to be treated in a facility where emergency intubation and tracheostomy can be performed at a short notice.
Search by University/Institution
Enter your University/Institution to find colleagues at HSPI.
Ensuring author's satisfaction with
- Friendly and hassle-free publication process
- Less production time of articles
- Constructive peer-review
- Enhancing journal reputation
- Regular feedback system
- Quick response to authors' queries
Most Viewed Keywords
Search Articles by Country
Get all latest articles in all Heighten Science Publications Inc journals by country.
Testmonials
I like the quality of the print & overall service. The paper looks quite impressive. Hope this will attract interested readers. All of you have our best wishes for continued success.
Arshad Khan
I am to express my view that Heighten Science Publications are reliable quick even after peer review process. I hope and wish the publications will go a long way in disseminating science to many inter...
College of Fisheries, CAU(I), Tripura, India
Ajit Kumar Roy
During the process your positive communication, prompt feedback and professional approach is very highly appreciated. We would like to thank you very much for your support.
Can Vuran
The service from the journal staff has been excellent.
Andy Smith
“The choice to submit the forensic case study to the Journal of Addiction Therapy and Research was dictated by the match between the content and the potential readership. The publication process pro...
Ph.D, Boston University Department of Communicatio...
Elisabeth H. Wiig
Thank you for your attitude and support. I am sincerely grateful to you and the entire staff of the magazine for the high professionalism and fast quality work. Thank you very much!
USA
Igor Klepikov
Great, thank you! It was very efficient working w/ your group. Very thorough reviews (i.e., plagiarism, peer, etc.). Would certainly recommend that future authors consider working w/ your group.
David W Brett
Congratulations for the excellence of your journal and high quality of its publications.
Angel MARTIN CASTELLANOS
"An amazing experience with the Journal of Advanced Pediatrics and Child Health. Very fast blind review with pertinent corrections and suggestions. I highly recommand both the journal and the editor."
Chaimae Khairoun
In 2017, I submitted a manuscript to the journal Archives of Biotechnology and Biomedicine belonging to Heighten Science Publications Corporation. Within one week I already received the response from ...
University of Tubingen, Germany