Life-threatening upper airway obstruction due to isolated hypermobile tongue

J Craniofac Surg. 2011 Jul;22(4):1529-31. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0b013e31821da1cc.

Abstract

Isolated hypermobile tongue is extremely rare. We present a case of isolated hypermobile tongue that caused several life-threatening airway obstructions during sleep. The tongue could reach to the nasopharynx and clear and moisten the nasopharynx by its movement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / etiology*
  • Endoscopy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Movement
  • Nasopharynx / anatomy & histology
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / etiology
  • Tongue / physiopathology*
  • Young Adult