Head Neck. Background: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is defined as the retrograde flow of gastric contents up through the esophagus to the larynx and hypopharynx; this is an extra-esophageal manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 2. de Bortoli N, Nacci A, Savarino E, Martinucci I, Bellini M, Fattori B, Ceccarelli L, Costa F, Mumolo MG, Ricchiuti A, Savarino V, Berrettini S, Marchi S. World J Gastroenterol. Yom SS, Machtay M, Biel MA, et al. 2022. J Laryngol Otol. The information published on the portal is for reference only and should not be used without consulting a specialist. Vocal Atrophy Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment - Los Angeles Voice Doctor 103(11):2326-33. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Radiation treatment can be used alone in patients with low-volume T1 and T2 cancers and is added to surgery if the tumor is evaluated as stage III or IV. Both laryngopharyngeal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease are caused by mucosal injury from acid and pepsin exposure, but the esophagus has intrinsic antireflux defenses that prevent mucosal injury (bicarbonate production, mucosal tissue resistance and esophageal motor function with acid clearance) whereas the pharynx and the larynx do not. General edema indicates a violation of water-salt metabolism in the body as a whole, localized or local occur as a result of fluid retention in a limited area of the body. An ominous sign at this point is referred otalgia; the stimulus initiates from the tumor and courses along the sensory distribution of the vagus nerve, where it meets with the Arnold nerve in the middle ear. Noninflammatory laryngeal edema is the serous soaking of submucosal connective tissue, the fibers of which turn out to be disconnected accumulations of liquid transudate (unlike inflammatory edema, when exudate appears with a large number of blood cells, including erythrocytes). Pembrolizumab Monotherapy Effective for Rare Melanoma, For Uninsured People With Cancer, Securing Care Can Be Like Spinning a Roulette Wheel, Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers You Need to Know. This number ranges quite widely, even within studies from the same country. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. After sitting for a long time, such as on a long flight, call your care provider if you get leg pain and swelling that won't go away. Intramural fat planes are also normally demonstrated 1. It is more prominent in infants and engorges during crying, known as the "postcricoid cushion" on laryngoscopy, perhaps as protection against emesis 3. 3. Joint and bones swelling points to early arthritis especially if at least two joints are involved and/or morning rigidity lasts longer than 30 minutes and/or if there is an affection of metacarpophalangeal and/or metatarsophalangeal joints (Emery, 2002). Ultimately, cancer cells form that escape host immunological surveillance and begin to grow as a tumor. If the edema develops inside the larynx, then there is difficulty in breathing, hoarseness of the voice, difficulty and awkwardness during phonation with a change in the usual timbre of the voice, a feeling of bursting in the throat and cough. Cobblestone Throat: Pictures, Cancer Risk, Other Causes - Healthline Vocal cords consist of many layers. Sometimes, you cant prevent what caused edema if it is the result of an underlying health condition like heart failure, liver or kidney disease, but you can work with your healthcare provider to manage symptoms. Much work has been accomplished to study the course of genetic events leading to carcinogenesis in the head and neck. Treatments consist mostly of lifestyle changes. Reinke's edema - Department of Otolaryngology [Full Text]. Parts of the immune system. Congestion, entailing laryngeal edema, may be the result of mediastinal tumors, large aortic aneurysms, malignant and benign goiter, large neck tumors that squeeze large venous trunks, lower pharyngeal tumors, and many others. Marchi F, Missale F, Sampieri C, et al. Edema of the interarytenoid mucosa seen on endoscopy is related to With edema of the epiglottis or the posterior wall of the larynx, the main symptoms are a feeling of restraint and awkwardness when swallowing, a sensation of a foreign body in the throat, gagging with food. Do not sit or stand for long periods without moving or go on short walks. Many centers are relinquishing the primary surgery-postoperative radiation approach for an organ-preservation protocol. This condition also can cause fluid to build up in the lungs. Swelling can happen anywhere on your body but most often affects your feet, ankles and legs. Conclusions: Purpose of review: When medical management fails, patients with demonstrable high-volume reflux and lower sphincter incompetence are often candidates for surgical intervention. In some cases, it can be one-sided, simulating an abscess of the larynx. Hiatal hernia (odds ratio [OR]: 2.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-6.23, P-value 0.019) and edema of theinterarytenoid mucosa (OR, 3.77; 95% CI, 1.26-16.3; P-value 0.035) were significantly related with EE and independent predictors of EE. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Symptoms felt to be most related to reflux (>or= 95%) are throat clearing, persistent cough, heartburn/dyspepsia, globus sensation (lump in the throat) and voice-quality change, while the physical examination findings include (>or= 95%) arytenoid erythema, vocal-cord erythema and edema, posterior commissure hypertrophy, and arytenoid edema. Chu PY, Chang SY. Contrast enhanced CT scan showed a smooth globular enhancing mass of 2.5 cm diameter in . Dante The Opera Artists; Dante Virtual Opera; Divine Comedy; About IOT. Keywords: The code is used by all healthcare providers in the U.S. Edema is common and ranges in severity for each person diagnosed with the condition based on the cause. 2006 Jun;14(3):124-7. doi: 10.1097/01.moo.0000193200.78214.e9. These reports ignore different radiotherapy delivery methods and/or the addition of chemotherapy. Limit drinking. 62nd ed. American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline for the use of larynx-preservation strategies in the treatment of laryngeal cancer. Would you like email updates of new search results? All rights reserved. This may be as a normal consequence of aging or due to a nerve injury. Additionally, some people simply have thinner vocal muscles than others, giving the picture of vocal atrophy. Most commonly, TP53 obtains a mutation that makes it ineffective in controlling the cell growth rate. Reports from the 1970s also mention a size limit of 5 cm (vertical length) as the largest tumor amenable to cure, with a patient survival rate of 0% at 18 months for tumors exceeding this size. The rate is higher in the United Kingdom and India, with figures quoted from 3.5-40% of all hypopharyngeal tumors. Once the tumor has been verified as a cancer, usually squamous cell carcinoma, it is assessed for conservative management. Papadakis MA, et al., eds. Following the disease course includes counting of painful and swollen joints, complete . Inset of jejunal free flap after total laryngopharyngectomy. are clickable links to these studies. Inset of a radial forearm fasciocutaneous free flap after a partial pharyngectomy and total laryngectomy. The .gov means its official. [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]. With significant laryngeal edema, significant impairment of voice function, up to aphonia, occurs. 2006 Jun;14(3):138-42. doi: 10.1097/01.moo.0000193193.09602.51. Hoff SR, Koltai PJ. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. The hypopharynx is shaped like a funnel with its most anterior segment missing. Mascitti M, Coccia E, Vignini A, Aquilanti L, Santarelli A, Salvolini E, Sabbatinelli J, Mazzanti L, Procaccini M, Rappelli G. Dent J (Basel). The scale includes: Treatment for edema varies based on the cause, especially if the cause relates to an underlying health condition. Congestive heart failure can also cause swelling in the stomach area. We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. 2014;50:66-77. doi: 10.1540/jsmr.50.66. 62(3):680-3. Vocal cord edema and pseudosulcus may also be visible. Of late pachydermia laryngis has occupied a prominent place in the writings of laryngologist, more . Follow your doctors directions for taking medications. The right arytenoid was pushed anteriorly with restricted movement. 2006 Jun;14(3):150-5. doi: 10.1097/01.moo.0000193177.62074.fd. Urbanek T, et al. 1.3. Edema refers to swelling and puffiness in different areas of the body. The following increases the risk of edema: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. and transmitted securely. Clin Otolaryngol. Edema: Causes, Treatment, Symptoms, and More - Healthline Lab studies used in the assessment of patients with postcricoid cancer include the following: Before definitive treatment (eg, surgery, radiation), evaluate the extent of the disease by performing a panendoscopy and a biopsy. It also can be the result of a disease, such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, venous insufficiency or cirrhosis of the liver. All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright 1994-2023 by WebMD LLC. It can be life-threatening and needs quick treatment. Policy. Edema of the interarytenoid mucosa seen on endoscopy is - PubMed Pachydermia laryngis is a rare disorder characterized by thickening of the laryngeal epithelium. Erythema and edema | HealthTap Online Doctor Douglas B Villaret, MD Residency Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Shands Hospital, University of Florida College of Medicine Smith CC. Digestive Endoscopy 2013 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. M Abraham Kuriakose, MD, DDS, FRCS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Head and Neck Society, British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons of EnglandDisclosure: Nothing to disclose. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with Clinical Information A disorder characterized by swelling due to an excessive accumulation of fluid in the larynx. Barium swallow on postoperative day 7, after radial forearm free flap reconstruction. We review the current under- Pulmonary edema is a condition caused by too much fluid in the lungs. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Statins and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A meta-analysis. The nerve supply is from . Often, acute inflammatory and non-inflammatory laryngeal edema develops very quickly, sometimes with lightning speed, which leads to the danger of acute asphyxiation requiring immediate tracheotomy. McGraw Hill; 2023. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. M Abraham Kuriakose, MD, DDS, FRCS Chairman, Head and Neck Institute, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Ni XG, Cheng RR, Lai SQ, et al. They will look for swelling, especially on parts of your body where your skin has a shiny or stretched appearance. Diagnosis and management of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease Chemoradiation therapy with or without salvage surgery for early squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx. 1995 Feb. 121(2):219-23. Cancers (Basel). Allow up to a 3- or 4-hour period of ischemia for the jejunal and forearm flaps, respectively. See a provider right away for: These can be signs of fluid buildup in the lungs, also known as pulmonary edema. kidney disease. You feel full or tightness in your swollen body part. Epub 2011 Sep 1. Edema can affect anyone, but the condition most often affects people who are pregnant and adults who are 65 years or older. If you log out, you will be required to enter your username and password the next time you visit. Differential diagnostics is performed primarily with noninflammatory laryngeal edema (toxic, allergic, uremic, in pregnant women with toxicosis), diphtheria, septic laryngotracheobronchitis, laryngeal foreign bodies, laryngospasm, traumatic laryngeal edema, hiccation of the larynx, laryngospasm, traumatic laryngeal edema (hurt, laryngotracheobronchitis, laryngeal spasm, laryngospasm, traumatic laryngeal edema, hurt, laryngitis, laryngotracheitis, laryngitis, laryngospasm, traumatic laryngeal edema, myopathies), with laryngeal lesions in case of specific infectious diseases (syphilis, tuberculosis), tumors, as well as respiratory failure in the case of disease heart and asthma. If are not pregnant and you notice that you have unexpected swelling in a part of your body, contact your healthcare provider for an exam. Results: Acute edema typically lasts for less than 72 hours, whereas chronic edema is more long term. Bookshelf In edematous laryngitis, caused by over-acute diseases such as influenza, erysipelas, scarlet fever, etc., the edema develops quickly and covers almost the entire submucosal layer of the larynx or subsclip space It can also spread over paraminidal phlegmon, inflammation and abscess of lingual minus and the root of the tongue, trauma to the vestibule of the larynx with foreign bodies. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been associated increasingly with ear, nose, and throat (ENT) signs and symptoms. Treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinoma: analysis of nationwide study in the Netherlands over a 10-year period. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! We discuss successful management of cricoid chondritis with balloon dilation, steroids, and antibiotics. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the With the localization of edema at the pharyngeal-laryngeal "crossroads" the patient has a feeling of the presence of a foreign body and pain when swallowing and phonation. Malignant tumors of the postcricoid area. thyroid disorders. The nasogastric tube syndrome in infants - ScienceDirect what is postcricoid edema 'We are still working hard to bring you fresh content and good vibes, even in these trying times!' . Unable to process the form. Increase in the size of the stomach area. Noninflammatory laryngeal edema is observed in a number of common diseases, for example, in patients suffering from cardiac decompensation, renal failure, nutritional or oncological cachexia, allergies, hypothyroidism, angiolymphogenous diseases, etc. Reconstruction can involve the following: The authors usually suture the vertical limb while the flap is still pedicled in the forearm. Hypopharyngeal cancer patient care evaluation. As a result, blood can back up in the legs, ankles and feet, causing edema. Forceps are on the monitor paddle. Many patients diagnosed initially with GERD as the cause of laryngeal signs do not symptomatically or laryngoscopically respond to aggressive acid suppression and do . For inflammatory edema, intensive antibiotic therapy is prescribed (penicillin, streptomycin, etc.). Become a Gold Supporter and see no third-party ads. Although both LPR and GERD are caused by reflux of stomach contents, their clinical presentations and treatments differ. Wearing compression socks, sleeves or stockings. Nakamura K, Shioyama Y, Sasaki T, et al. endoscopic-positive esophagitis; frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (FSSG); gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); hiatal hernia; laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). The postcricoid regionis a subsite of the hypopharynx,comprising the anterior wall. Edema (swelling) and cancer treatment. Scott P Stringer, MD, MS, FACS Professor and Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center Laryngoscope. Review/update the Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. 1942. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. for: Medscape. Cleveland Clinic Community Care puts patients first by offering comprehensive, coordinated, personalized healthcare. 2019 Jun 1;7(2):60. doi: 10.3390/dj7020060. Then, bring the tubed forearm or jejunum flap into the neck and suture the posterior aspect of the superior and inferior anastomosis to the pharyngeal mucosa with interrupted 3-0 polyglycolic sutures. This fluid collects in the many air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Swelling occurs when a part of your body gets bigger because there is a buildup of fluid in your tissues. what is postcricoid edema - lumpenradio.com include protected health information. Gender: Female. Diagnosis and management of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease. The only place where swelling of the mucous membrane and submucosal layer does not occur is the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis and the vocal folds. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted FOIA Vardar R, Varis A, Bayrakci B, Akyildiz S, Kirazli T, Bor S. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. Relationship between history, laryngoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy for diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux in patients with typical GERD. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Swelling due to an excessive accumulation of fluid in the larynx. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Endoscopic Findings and Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms at 18-Month Follow-Up. or A BETTER WAY TO DESCRIBE IT, heart disease is the leading cause of the peripheral edema. You can also contact us! The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). {"url":"/signup-modal-props.json?lang=us"}, Deng F, Hacking C, Weerakkody Y, Postcricoid region. Before The diagnosis of edematous laryngitis is established on the basis of the patient's history and complaints (sudden and transient onset with increasing signs of difficulty breathing, foreign body sensation, pain when talking, swallowing and coughing), increasing general clinical phenomena (fever, chills, general weakness) and data indirect and direct laryngoscopy. Neal D Futran, MD, DMD is a member of the following medical societies: American Head and Neck SocietyDisclosure: Nothing to disclose. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. This is a case report of an infant with stridor, supplemental oxygen requirement, and dysphagia who was found to have a postcricoid fullness that did not improve despite medical therapy. 2019 Oct-Dec;65(4):207-211. doi: 10.4103/jpgm.JPGM_271_18. Share cases and questions with Physicians on Medscape consult. In: Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2023. Shar Pei Larynx: Supraglottic and Postcricoid Mucosal - PubMed Simple lifestyle changes like elevating the swollen part of your body or moving around if you were sitting or standing for a long period of time can reduce swelling and help you feel better. Medicines and pregnancy can cause edema. Gastric Erythema and Related Health Issues - Steady. Health 138 (6): 562-71. Symptoms of swelling include: An area of your body is larger than it was a day ago. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. Long-term results of intensity-modulated radiotherapy concomitant with chemotherapy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma aimed at laryngeal preservation. Although erythema (redness) is a symptom, not a disease, where there is redness there is usually also inflammation. Pathology demonstrated submucosal fibrosis, edema, and vascularity with no evidence of malignancy, fibromatosis, or cystic/polypoid components. Patients are proposed an empirical therapeutic trial including behavioural and dietary recommendations and a 3-month twice-daily proton-pump inhibitor therapy. Please confirm that you would like to log out of Medscape. Postcricoid region | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org Diagnosis & treatment Print Overview Edema is swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body's tissues. Pulmonary edema - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic Congestive heart failure causes one or both of the heart's lower chambers stop pumping blood well. Benign postcricoid hypertrophy: Case report and review of the National Library of Medicine Medicines and pregnancy can cause edema. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). The primary abnormalities of erythema and edema are most often seen in the posterior aspect of the larynx, because it is closest to the upper esophageal sphincter and the esophageal refluxate.. However, the cause and effect relationship between these two clinical entities are far from established. Accessed Nov. 29, 2022. Gross anatomy Boundaries and/or relations anterior: posterior cricoarytenoid muscle of larynx posterior: lumen of hypopharynx superior: level of superior edge of the arytenoid cartilages Delivery schedules have been the subject of much discussion, with many studies showing an advantage for hyperfractionated therapy (120 Gy/dose, twice/d) and other studies showing no difference for once-daily treatments at 180-200 Gy/dose. Careers. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Salt causes your body to retain water, which could leak into your tissues and cause swelling. Therefore, any cancerous tumor unresponsive to chemotherapy or greater than 6 cm3 should undergo appropriate resection as the initial treatment. This lesion displays hypointense signal in T1, hyperintense signal in T2 and STIR with strong enhancement post contrast administration. BMC Cancer. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. Toros AB, Toros SZ, Ozel L, Ersoz F, Saglam M, Sametoglu F. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. A feeling of heaviness or tightness. Sterns RH. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience: The diagnostic ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification) code for edema is R60.9. Some of this fabric is contained in the folds of the vestibule. Edema sometimes covers the entire larynx, but is usually more pronounced in areas of loose fiber. A hernia is a protrusion of an internal organ through a hole in muscle or connective tissue. However, patients' characteristics and the FSSG score had no significant relationship with EE; there was no relationship between patients' characteristics and EE, regardless of its severity. The pit indicates that there is fluid built up in your tissues. Direct laryngoscopy should be carried out carefully, since it is accompanied by worsening of breathing and can lead to a sudden spasm of the larynx, fraught with acute asphyxia and death. Coutard applied the maturing field of radiobiology to the hypopharynx in the 1920s, and his methods were improved into the 1950s. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Additionally, perineural, perivascular, or soft tissue invasion (noted on final pathology results) or multiple positive nodes and/or extracapsular extension all indicate radiation treatment. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. If you have edema, take steps to reduce swelling by: It is important to protect any swollen areas of your body from additional pressure, injury and extreme temperatures. Dikshit RP, Boffetta P, Bouchardy C, et al. If we combine this information with your protected As BMMlechin (1958) notes, the edematous cherpalonadgortanic fold can go into the larynx lumen so that it completely closes it and causes stenosis. With the slow development of edema (3-5 days), the patient can adapt to the slowly increasing hypoxia, however, as long as the stenosis of the larynx remains compensated. Edema also can be a side effect of some medicines. This content does not have an Arabic version. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. An orogastric tube was placed four days after intubation, and the patient was extubated nearly two months later. Risk factors for the development of second primary tumors among men after laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Edema shoes are available for people who experience chronic edema and need adjustable footwear for swelling. The postcricoid region fills out the hypopharynx. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. All rights reserved. Sulfonamides are prescribed with caution, because they can adversely affect the excretory function of the kidneys. Others. A globular mass with smooth mucosal surface was seen in postcricoid region, more towards right side (Figure 1). Peripheral Edema - VA Disability Compensation Benefits Forums Wearing compression garments and reducing salt in the diet often relieves edema. This is most notable in areas with relatively high rates of Plummer-Vinson syndrome. Summary: 214 (1): 237-46. In this case, direct diagnosis is facilitated by information provided by parents, laboratory examination data (inflammatory changes in the blood) and direct micro-laryngoscopy. Most patients report a globus or foreign-body sensation in the throat for months to years before diagnosis of a postcricoid malignant tumor. Sitting or staying in one position for too long. Wear support socks, stockings or sleeves, which put pressure on parts of your body to keep fluids from collecting there. These data are extrapolated from hypopharyngeal studies because well-constructed inquiries addressing tobacco and alcohol involvement specifically with postcricoid carcinomas have not emerged. Vocal cord edema of this degree can result in severe dysphonia, stridor or airway . Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. Videolaryngoscopy revealed edema of both arytenoids and false cords. Swelling that gets more and more painful. 2018 Nov-Dec;84(6):781-789. doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2018.03.003. Shar Pei Larynx: Supraglottic and Postcricoid Mucosal Redundancy and There are several possible causes for an edema diagnosis including: Your healthcare provider will give a physical examination to diagnose edema, followed by diagnostic tests to find the cause. Laryngeal Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis | IntechOpen The postcricoid region is a subsite of the hypopharynx , comprising the anterior wall. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 01 May 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-69055. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. PDF Laryngopharyngeal reflux: More questions than answers Malignant tumors of the postcricoid area. sis of LPR is considered if edema, erythema, ventricular obliteration, pseudosulcus, or postcricoid hyperplasia is noted. Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Head and Neck SocietyDisclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Cerescan; Ryte; Neosoma; MI10
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Neosoma; Cyberionix (CYBX)
Received ownership interest from Cerescan for consulting for: Neosoma, MI10. Edema can be a short-term or long-term condition, depending on its cause. This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties. Posterior Laryngeal Edema in GERD-Related Cough - Medscape Edema can stretch your skin and if not treated, swelling could increase and cause serious health problems. Neal D Futran, MD, DMD Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Director of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine Depending on the cause of your diagnosis, edema could be temporary or permanent.