Macroglossia - causes and treatment

is the term used to describe the tongue increased in volume and is a rare condition, more commonly identified among children than adults. Patients with macroglossia have an enlarged tongue compared to the normal size, in relation to the oral cavity. Macroglossia is almost never a pathology in itself, but is a sign present in various pathologies either congenital (inherited and present at birth) or acquired during life. During adult life, some forms of cancer and/or severe infections can be associated with macroglossia. To identify macroglossia, the most suggestive sign is the protrusion of the tongue outside the oral cavity, due to its too large size. Difficulties in feeding, breathing or speaking can also appear, characteristic symptoms of variable severity.

It is often difficult to establish and identify patients with macroglossia, being a relatively subjective sign. Although macroglossia is frequently associated with some pathologies, not all those diagnosed with those conditions will also have macroglossia. Thus, the prevalence of macroglossia is unknown until this moment. Article content\n \n \n . ro or from the SfatulMedicului mobile application (iOS, Android)\n .

When the tongue does not fit in the oral cavity and protrudes outward, seeing it always out can be the most characteristic sign. Other symptoms and signs include:\r\n. Most of the time it appears in the context of other pathologies, but in very rare cases macroglossia can appear without other medical conditions. Apart from these diseases, macroglossia can appear as a consequence of certain treatments or surgical interventions. Affections can be hereditary, inherited from parents or acquired during life.

Macroglossia can be part of the clinical picture of some hereditary pathologies such as:\r\n. This is a syndrome involving growth defects and is characterized by increased body size, enlarged organs and increased risk of cancer. Approximately 90% of patients with this diagnosis also have macroglossia. • Hunter syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis): This is a group of diseases that affect the body's ability to break down carbohydrate molecules. • Down syndrome.

Children born with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome, which changes the brain structure and alters physical and mental functions. Acquired causes of macroglossia include metabolic and endocrine pathologies as well as infections. Some of these include:\r\n. A disorder of protein metabolism, in which the organs do not function properly. Macroglossia is the most common oral symptom of amyloidosis.

• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a common condition, in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones for the body. The metabolism of these patients is slowed down. Hypothyroidism is a frequent cause of macroglossia, especially in children. • Acromegaly. A rare endocrine condition, in which too much (somatotropic hormone) is produced.

Patients with acromegaly have an enlarged tongue, mandible, hands and feet. • Diphtheria: A severe infectious pathology in which the tongue can become inflamed and thus increase in size. Macroglossia can be a sign of benign or malignant tumor pathologies such as:\r\n. A benign tumor that develops in the lymphatic system, causing the appearance of cysts on the surface of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. • Hemangioma.

which develops from blood vessels. • Lymphoma. Cancer affecting the lymphatic system. The diagnosis involves the identification of macroglossia and the diagnosis of the associated pathology, either hereditary or acquired. First of all, the doctor will start a physical examination in which he will check your or your child's tongue, as well as other neighboring structures at the level of the head and neck.

Then combinations between tests can be used such as:\r\n. CT imaging tests are used to obtain detailed, three-dimensional images of the oral cavity, head and neck. • MRI. An imaging test as effective as the computer tomography, in which magnetic waves are used to obtain clear images of the organs. In some cases, newborns and children diagnosed with macroglossia will heal without any treatment, due to the growth of facial bones and muscles.

When doctors treat macroglossia, they start with the diagnosis and treatment of the underlying pathology. In parallel with these, macroglossia benefits from specific treatments such as:\r\n. Approximately 10% of cases of macroglossia require surgical treatment to reduce the size. Macroglossia is often a sign of hereditary pathologies. If you notice macroglossia in a child, do not hesitate to contact a pediatric specialist and/or a genetic specialist to identify the underlying hereditary condition.

If you or your child develops macroglossia and a treatment is already underway, the priority is the treatment for the underlying pathology. If you are still worried about the appearance of macroglossia, do not hesitate to contact the doctor. Most of the time, macroglossia is associated with hereditary pathologies that cannot be prevented. In other cases, macroglossia can accompany infectious diseases or acquired conditions. In order to prevent the latter, make sure that you respect the sanitary measures and that you have regular medical check-ups, in order to identify medical problems in time.

Macroglossia is a sign present in various hereditary or acquired diseases, appearing very rarely in healthy patients. The treatment can be pharmacological or surgical, but the treatment of the underlying disease is a priority. Bibliography:\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n . Madalina Georgescu\n . profit.

DORIN HOCIOTA\n \n \n . university dr. Bogdan Mocanu\n . profit. DORIN HOCIOTA\n \n \n .

Miorita Toader\n . .