[Treatment of macroglossia due to acromegaly]

A 61-years-old woman had macroglossia due to acromegaly with complaints of dyspneu at a lying sleeping position and complaints of speech and dysphagia. At the age of 55 years she was diagnosed with acromegaly induced by a adenoma of the pituitary gland, which had been removed surgically. The treatment of macroglossia included tongue reduction, removal of the remaining mandibular teeth with severe periodontal attachment loss, huge reduction of the residual alveolar ridge, immediate implant insertion, fabrication of implant-supported overdentures, and logopedic treatment. The speech improved significantly and the patient could sleep again in a lying position. Clinically, acromegaly is diagnosed on clinical signs, such as the morphology and the protrusion of the tongue. Often, macroglossia is a secondary symptom of a systemic disease, needing causal treatment. If surgical reduction of the tongue is indicated, also enlargement of the oral cavity should be considered.