Return to Contents in this Issue

Case Report
 

Edema of the Uvula: Etiology, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment
 

E Alcoceba,1 M Gonzalez,1 P Gaig,1 E Figuerola,2 T Auguet,3 M Olona4

1Allergy Unit, Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII, Tarragona, Spain
2ENT Service, Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII, Tarragona, Spain
3Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII, Tarragona, Spain
4Epidemiology Department, Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII, Tarragona, Spain

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2010; Vol. 20(1): 80-83
 

 Abstract

 

Edema of the uvula (EU) is a rare occurrence sometimes associated with angioedema, urticaria, and anaphylaxis. We analyze the causes, predisposing factors, and characteristics of EU in a group of 58 patients with a mean (SD) age of 48.2 (15.2) years over the course of a year. Of the 58 patients studied, 49 (84.5%) were male and 44 (75.9%) presented isolated EU. Thirty-two patients (55.1%) with no clear etiology were classed as idiopathic. Snoring and a high body mass index were more prevalent in these patients. A variety of probable causes were identified in 26 patients (44.9%). In this group, EU was usually accompanied by urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis and
there was also a greater prevalence of atopy.
We found that EU was idiopathic in just over half of the patients studied and that the predisposing factors were being overweight and having a tendency to snore. Patients with EU should be tested for allergies to drugs, airborne allergens, and food.

Key words: Allergy. Idiopathic. Obesity. Edema of the uvula. Snoring.