IPSIndian Journal of Pharmacology
Home  IPS  Feedback Subscribe Top cited articles Login 
Users Online : 13470 
Small font sizeDefault font sizeIncrease font size
Navigate Here
  Search
 
  
Resource Links
 »  Similar in PUBMED
 »  Search Pubmed for
 »  Search in Google Scholar for
 »Related articles
 »  Article in PDF (789 KB)
 »  Citation Manager
 »  Access Statistics
 »  Reader Comments
 »  Email Alert *
 »  Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)

 
In This Article
 »  Abstract
 » Introduction
 » Case Report
 » Discussion
 »  References
 »  Article Figures

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed4158    
    Printed155    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded100    
    Comments [Add]    
    Cited by others 1    

Recommend this journal

 


 
 Table of Contents    
DRUG WATCH
Year : 2017  |  Volume : 49  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 325-327
 

Acute dystonic reaction leading to lingual hematoma mimicking angioedema


1 Department of Emergency Medicine, Amasya University Sabuncuoglu Serefeddin Training and Research Hospital, Amasya, Turkey
2 Department of Emergency Medicine, Acibadem Altunizade Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
3 Department of Emergency Medicine, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
4 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Beytepe Murat Erdi Eker State Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
5 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

Date of Submission15-Oct-2016
Date of Acceptance18-Aug-2017
Date of Web Publication8-Dec-2017

Correspondence Address:
Özgür Sezer
Department of Emergency Medicine, Amasya University Sabuncuoglu Serefeddin, Training and Research Hospital, Amasya
Turkey
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijp.IJP_620_16

Rights and Permissions

 » Abstract 

Lingual hematoma is a severe situation, which is rare and endangers the airway. It can develop due to trauma, vascular abnormalities, and coagulopathy. Due to its sudden development, it can be clinically confused with angioedema. In patients who applied to the doctor with complaints of a swollen tongue, lingual hematoma can be confused with angioedema, in particular, at the beginning if the symptoms occurred after drug use. It should especially be considered that dystonia in the jaw can present as drug-induced hyperkinetic movement disorder. Early recognition of this rare clinical condition and taking precautions for providing airway patency are essential. In this case report, we will discuss mimicking angioedema and caused by a bite due to dystonia and separation of the tongue from the base of the mouth developing concurrently with lingual hematoma.


Keywords: Airway obstruction, antipsychotic, dystonia, hyperkinesis


How to cite this article:
Sezer &, Aydin AA, Bilge S, Arslan F, Arslan H. Acute dystonic reaction leading to lingual hematoma mimicking angioedema. Indian J Pharmacol 2017;49:325-7

How to cite this URL:
Sezer &, Aydin AA, Bilge S, Arslan F, Arslan H. Acute dystonic reaction leading to lingual hematoma mimicking angioedema. Indian J Pharmacol [serial online] 2017 [cited 2023 Sep 23];49:325-7. Available from: https://www.ijp-online.com/text.asp?2017/49/4/325/220287





 » Introduction Top


Lingual hematoma is a severe situation, which is rare and endangers the airway. It can develop due to trauma, vascular abnormalities, and coagulopathy.[1] Due to its sudden development, it can be clinically confused with angioedema. Early recognition of this rare clinical condition and taking precautions for providing airway patency are essential. In this case report, we will discuss lingual hematoma mimicking angioedema and caused by a bite due to dystonia and separation of the tongue from the base of the mouth developing concurrently with lingual hematoma.


 » Case Report Top


A 20-year-old female was admitted to the emergency department (ED) with swelling of the tongue [Figure 1]a. According to the medical history, she was taking quetiapine 300 mg due to bipolar disorder. She had no history of smoking, alcohol consumption, chronic drug use, or disease. According to the information received from a relative, a medication was applied to her in another medical center. They said that they did not know the name of the drug. Angioedema was considered due to rising of swelling symptoms soon after the drug application. Pheniramine maleate 45.5 mg intravenous (IV) and methylprednisolone 100 mg IV were immediately administered to the patient in our ED. Later, the patient's relative informed that intramuscular haloperidol had been administered due to acute agitation at another medical center 11 h ago and biperiden was administered due to developing a lisp 1 h after haloperidol administration in the same medical center. It was also informed that shrinkage and contraction developed in her face 1–2 h after the application of biperiden and meanwhile she bit her tongue involuntarily. Her general state was good, and she was conscious with full orientation and cooperation. Vital signs were as follows: blood pressure 110/80 mmHg, body temperature 36.2°C, and O2 saturation 98%. In the physical examination, the patient's tongue was edematous and protruding from the mouth. Respiratory sounds were normal. The uvula could not be evaluated, as the tongue filled the inside of the mouth. Neurological examination was normal. It was observed that hematoma occurred due to biting; there were lacerations in the sublingual region and tongue dorsum, and the tongue was separated from the base of the mouth [Figure 1]b. It was considered as an acute dystonic reaction, which is a type of hyperkinetic movement disorder due to drug use. Accordingly, it was considered that the lingual hematoma occurred due to biting, and the tongue was separated from the base of the mouth. A fiberoptic laryngoscopic examination was conducted by the doctor on duty at the ENT clinic, and it was determined that the tongue base was normal and the airway was open. She was followed up with methylprednisolone 1 g and antibiotics. Edema of the tongue diminished, and it was decided to continue monitoring without obstructing airway. A demarcation line was observed on the front part of tongue on the 3rd day [Figure 2]. On the 5th day of follow-up, granulation tissue was observed in the sublingual region. After 10 days of follow-up, the patient was discharged as no complications were present. The case was followed-up for 6 months, and no problems were observed.
Figure 1: (a) The view of swelling of the tongue. (b) Separation of the tongue from the base of the mouth

Click here to view
Figure 2: Demarcation line on the 3rd day

Click here to view



 » Discussion Top


Lingual or sublingual hematomas can develop secondary to trauma anticoagulant use, or tonic–clonic seizures.[2] Saah et al.[1] reported a case in which a hematoma occurred due to biting the tongue caused by eclamptic seizures. In the current case, lingual hematoma occurred due to a tongue bite, which was a result of hyperkinetic movement disorders related to the use of antipsychotics. Haloperidol was a probable causing agent according to the WHO-UMC causality assessment criteria and Naranjo probability scale (score 6). The severity of reaction was moderate according to Modified Hartwig and Siegel scale. We observed the separation of the tongue from the base of the mouth with a hematoma. We could not found any case in the literature with separation of the tongue from the base of the mouth and accompanying hematoma due to trauma. As an adverse effect of antipsychotic drugs, hyperkinetic movement disorders may be observed. Furthermore, many drug types such as dopamine-receptor blockers, antidepressants can cause drug-induced hyperkinetic movement disorder. The main symptoms of hyperkinetic movement disorder are tremor, akathisia, dyskinesia, myoclonus, and dystonia.[3] In atypical antipsychotic use, the prevalence of acute dystonic reactions is approximately 2%–3%. Acute dystonic reactions are generally seen before the age of 20 with an incidence of 60% and more.[4] Acute dystonic reactions may be seen clinically, such as torticollis, limb cramps, opisthotonus, oculogyric crisis, and jaw trismus.[4] In our case, dystonia in the jaw was seen as a movement disorder. In the jaw dystonia, lingual and sublingual hematomas can occur due to tongue biting. In the differential diagnosis of lingual hematoma, angioedema is present. Especially, if comprehensive medical history cannot be obtained, it can be confused with tongue swelling and angioedema after the drug use. The most important complication of lingual hematoma and separation of the tongue from the base of the mouth is acute upper airway obstruction. In these cases, different methods can be applied such as close monitoring of the airway or ensuring surgical airway and waiting for the decline of the hematoma. Good results are achieved in treatment with corticosteroids and antibiotics.[5] Hematoma evacuation is not possible because of bleeding is into the intrinsic muscles instead of potential spaces. To achieve a secured airway, methods such as orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation, tracheotomy can be used.[5] By evaluating the structures such as the posterior of the tongue, uvula, and epiglottis with flexible fiber-optic laryngoscopy, unnecessary intubation can be avoided. Furthermore, in our case, the base of the tongue and airway was evaluated by flexible fiber-optic laryngoscopy. It was considered that there was no need for emergency intubation or tracheotomy and waiting for the decline of the hematoma under close monitoring was decided.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
 » References Top

1.
Saah D, Braverman I, Elidan J, Nageris B. Traumatic macroglossia. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1993;102:729-30.  Back to cited text no. 1
[PUBMED]    
2.
Dhaliwal HS, Dhaliwal SS, Heckel RD, Quereshy FA, Baur DA. Diagnosis and management of upper airway obstruction due to lingual hematoma: Report of a case. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2011;69:558-63.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]    
3.
Burkhard PR. Acute and subacute drug-induced movement disorders. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2014;20 Suppl 1:S108-12.  Back to cited text no. 3
[PUBMED]    
4.
Loochtan MJ, Shafiq Q, Baugh RF. Flexible laryngoscopy in post-seizure lingual hematoma. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2013;115:1530-1.  Back to cited text no. 4
[PUBMED]    
5.
Song Z, Laggan B, Parulis A. Lingual hematoma treatment rationales: A case report. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2008;66:535-9.  Back to cited text no. 5
[PUBMED]    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2]

This article has been cited by
1 Management of acute tongue swelling
Keh Siew Min, Hasan Mohammad, Vallamkondu Vamsidhar, Shakeel Muhammad
Heighpubs Otolaryngology and Rhinology. 2020; 4(1): 012
[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

Top
Print this article  Email this article
 

    

Site Map | Home | Contact Us | Feedback | Copyright and Disclaimer | Privacy Notice
Online since 20th July '04
Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow