Uvulitis

Aka: Uvulitis, Quincke's Disease, Uvula Swelling, Enlarged Uvula, Uvular Erythema

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II. Definitions

  1. Uvulitis
    1. Uvular inflammation due to infection, irritation, malignancy, Trauma or allergy
  2. Quincke's Disease
    1. Primary Angioedema of the uvula

III. Etiology

  1. Bacteria
    1. See Pharyngitis Causes (Uvulitis and Pharyngitis share similar Bacterial causes)
    2. Streptococcus Pyogenes
    3. Haemophilus Influenzae
    4. Streptococcus Pneumoniae
    5. Fusobacterium
    6. Prevotella intermedia
  2. Viral Pharyngitis Causes
  3. Angioedema (Quincke's Disease)
  4. Trauma
    1. Iatrogenic (Endotracheal Intubation, upper endoscopy, suctioning, Anesthetic gas)
    2. Foreign Body Ingestion
    3. Tobacco or Marijuana Smoke Exposure

IV. Symptoms

  1. Foreign body Sensation in throat (worse when supine)
  2. Fever
  3. Pharyngitis

V. Signs

  1. Uvula swollen and red in midline (may approach grape size)
  2. Pharyngeal erythema
  3. Hoarse voice may be present
  4. Additional findings in severe cases
    1. Odynophagia
    2. Drooling
    3. Airway compromise
    4. Respiratory distress

VI. Management

  1. Management is based on suspected etiology
  2. See Pharyngitis Symptomatic Treatment
  3. Mild to moderate infectious cases
    1. Consider similar antibiotics to those used in Streptococcal Pharyngitis
    2. Augmentin
  4. Severe infectious cases
    1. Ceftriaxone or
    2. Ampicillin-Sulbactam (Unasyn)
  5. Non-infectious management
    1. See Angioedema management if Quincke's Disease is suspected
    2. Eliminate Traumatic causes

VII. References

  1. Anderson (2019) Crit Dec Emerg Med 33(9): 3-10

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