Uvular Edema, Acute

Presentation

The patient presents with a foreign-body sensation or a fullness or lump in the throat, possibly associated with a slightly muffled voice and gagging. Often patients have seen their swollen uvula after looking in a mirror. On examination of the throat, the uvula is boggy, swollen, pale, and somewhat translucent and gelatinous appearing (uvular hydrops). If greatly enlarged, the uvula might rest on the tongue and move in and out with respiration. There should be no associated rash or pruritus, soreness, fever, dyspnea, or other areas of edematous involvement, such as the tongue, sublingual region, soft palate, and tonsils.