Self-inflicted traumatic macroglossia.
Macroglossia is a potentially life-threatening problem. The multiple aetiologies responsible for this condition include cysts, tumours, amyloidosis, angioedema, and infections. Although injuries to the oral cavity are common, self-inflicted traumatic macroglossia is not common. We report a case of a comatose patient with limb contractures and severe trismus who developed entrapment of the tongue with progressive macroglossia and near auto-amputation of the tongue. The importance of early recognition and treatment of tongue entrapment in comatose patients is emphasised since this is a potentially reversible condition.
Alvi
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Division of Otolaryngology, Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center, Chicago Medical School, Illinois, USA.
Theodoropoulos
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PA
D000328:Adult; D003128:Coma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008260:Macroglossia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D014059:Tongue / Q000473:pathology; D014313:Trismus / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology