Medical Image of the Week: Uvula Hematoma Secondary to Endotracheal Intubation

Figure 1: Uvula with elongation and hematoma of the tip, in the anterior and superior position.

A 53 year old male with no significant past medical history admitted for acute cholecystitis, underwent an uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Per anesthesia report, intubation was difficult.  A few hours after extubation, he complained of dyspnea and a choking sensation. Examination showed a hematoma of the uvula with elongation and abnormal position of the uvula anterior to the soft palate. The patient was given a dose of intravenous steroids and anti-histamine with resolution of his symptoms over time.

Bhupinder Natt MD, Carmen Luraschi Monjagatta MD, Rene Franco MD, John Sandoval-Gonzalez MD.

Departments of Internal Medicine and Family Medicine

University of Arizona Health Network, South Campus

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Reference as: Natt B, Luraschi-Monjagatta C, Franco R, Sandoval-Gonzalez J. Medical image of the week: uvula hematoma secondary to endotracheal intubation. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2013:7(3):204. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc127-13 PDF