Tongue necrosis: a rare complication of prolonged oral intubation

This is a case report of necrosis of more than two-third of the dorsal tongue in a 74-year-old male following prolonged oral intubation for vascular surgery. This necrosis progressed from the left tongue to involve much of the dorsal tongue bilaterally. A diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis was made evident by compartment syndrome of the legs with an elevated creatine kinase level of 89 789 u/l (units per litre). The literature also reveals that vasopressin has been linked with reported cases of tongue necrosis. Other possible aetiological factors were discussed in this finding.