Massive sublingual hematoma secondary to anticoagulant therapy complicated by a traumatic denture: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Sublingual hematoma secondary to excessive anticoagulation is a rare but potentially fatal condition, and few cases have been documented in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 73-year-old Caucasian woman who attended our Accident and Emergency department with massive sublingual hematoma causing superior displacement of the tongue. The condition was found to be the result of an elevated international normalized ratio, further complicated by a traumatic mandibular denture. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we recommend the immediate reversal of anticoagulation therapy on admission of patients with severe sublingual hematoma. We further advise surgical decompression/drainage if required and to continue meticulous monitoring. In all cases of early recognition of sublingual hematoma, prompt medical treatment and continuous clinical monitoring is essential, and may prevent the need for a surgical airway procedure.