title: Postoperative massive tongue edema in craniosynostotic children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although rarely encountered in the clinical setting, massive tongue edema is a known phenomenon that can occur in craniosynostotic children in the postoperative period. In 1998, Kunhert described an encounter with an adolescent patient with Crouzon syndrome who required craniectomy for complications associated with Chairi malformation [1]. Following her procedure she had rapid tongue edema which was felt to be secondary to obstruction of the venous drainage of the tongue. Despite extensive workup and unsuccessful medical attempts to reduce the swelling, she was extubated with rapid resolution of the tongue edema [1].
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our facility, two children with underlying craniofacial diagnoses underwent elective surgical procedures. During their postoperative course, they encountered postoperative massive tongue swelling which ultimately required tracheotomy to relieve the compression and upper airway obstruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We describe the clinical manifestations, treatment, and postoperative outcomes identified in these two cases.
authors.affiliation: MUSC Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, 135 Rutledge Ave, MSC 550, Charleston, SC 29425, United States. carie@musc.edu
authors.forename: Carissa M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Carie
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Discolo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones