Intramuscular lipoma of the tongue masquerading as angioedema.
In most cases, the diagnostic evaluation of angioedema is challenging, as there are many possible etiologies. We report a case of an infiltrating lipoma of the tongue that masqueraded as angioedema. The patient, a 68-year-old man, presented with tongue swelling that had followed a waxing and waning course over a 6-month period. Physical examination showed a diffusely enlarged tongue with no discrete mass. A laboratory evaluation for angioedema was unremarkable. After the patient's condition did not respond to treatment with antihistamines and oral prednisone, a further workup was initiated. Magnetic resonance imaging of the neck and computed tomography of the oral cavity revealed only diffuse enlargement of the tongue. The patient underwent a tongue biopsy, which identified the cause of the swelling to be an infiltrating lipoma of the tongue. Clinicians should be aware that other causes of tongue swelling may mimic angioedema.
Allergy and Immunology Group, Walla Walla Clinic, 55 W. Tietan St., Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA. ali.amirzadeh@wallawallaclinic.com
Ali
A
Amirzadeh
William
W
Klaustermeyer
D000368:Aged; D000799:Angioedema / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*