Acute exacerbation of macroglossia

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Venous malformations (VMs) are congenital vascular anomalies that can cause significant morbidity.
• Large VMs, particularly in the tongue, pose complex management challenges due to their size and location.

Observation:

• A patient presented with a massive tongue venous malformation extending beyond the oral cavity.
• The malformation's extensive nature precluded complete surgical excision.
• Immediate issues included airway compromise risk, functional deficits (speech, eating, drinking), and discomfort.

Findings:

• Despite the inability to achieve complete surgical resection, a multidisciplinary management approach was implemented.
• Conservative and interventional strategies were employed to control symptoms and improve quality of life.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of tailored, multimodal treatment for complex venous malformations.
• It demonstrates that even seemingly incurable vascular anomalies can be effectively managed, improving patient outcomes.