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Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 12(2):p 101-103, April-June 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12226.8
Case Report
A Mouthful of Trouble: A Case of Acute Airway Obstruction in Amyloidosis
Unnati Singh, Priya Govil, Kishalay Datta
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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 12(2):p 101-103, April-June 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12226.8
How Cite This Article:
Unnati Singh, Priya Govil, Kishalay Datta. A Mouthful of Trouble: A Case of Acute Airway Obstruction in Amyloidosis. Ind J Emerg Med. 2026; 12(2): 101-103.Timeline
Received : January 20, 2026
Accepted : February 24, 2026
Published : June 30, 2026
Abstract
Macroglossia is a rare but classical manifestation of systemic amyloidosis and may progress gradually over time. In advanced stages, it can precipitate sudden and life-threatening airway obstruction. Airway management in such patients is particularly challenging because of distorted anatomy and limited visualization of oropharyngea tructures. We report the case of a 77-year-old female with biopsy-proven systemic amyloidosis who presented with acute respiratory distress secondary to massive tongue enlargement. Conventional airway assessment and orotracheal intubation were not feasible due to complete obstruction of the oral cavity by the swollen tongue. Fibreoptic-guided nasal intubation was successfully performed, securing the airway and preventing further deterioration. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of airway compromise in patients with amyloidosis and underscores the critical role of fibreoptic techniques in managing anticipated difficult airways. Emergency physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion and prepare advanced airway strategies when encountering patients with progressive macroglossia.
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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest in this work.
About this article
Cite this article
Unnati Singh, Priya Govil, Kishalay Datta. A Mouthful of Trouble: A Case of Acute Airway Obstruction in Amyloidosis. Ind J Emerg Med. 2026; 12(2): 101-103.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| January 20, 2026 | February 24, 2026 | June 30, 2026 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12226.8
Keywords
AmyloidosisMacroglossiaAirway obstructionFibreoptic intubationDifficult airwaySearch for Similar Articles
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Timeline
| Received | January 20, 2026 |
| Accepted | February 24, 2026 |
| Published | June 30, 2026 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
