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glossoptosis

Etiology: - macroglossia (Down syndrome) - retrognathia (Pierre Robin syndrome, Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome) - neuromuscular disease Pathology: - downward displacement or retraction of the tongue - the tongue may be moved posteriorly during sleep against the posterior pharynx, resulting in airway obstruction & oxygen desaturation Complications: - obstructive sleep apnea [2]

General

tongue disease

References

  1. Wikipedia: Glossoptosis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossoptosis
  2. Donnelly LF, Strife JL, Myer CM 3rd. Glossoptosis (posterior displacement of the tongue) during sleep: a frequent cause of sleep apnea in pediatric patients referred for dynamic sleep fluoroscopy. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000 Dec;175(6):1557-60. PMID: 11090374