Answer: VizD Challenge

What is Wrong with that Tongue?

(click on image to enlarge)

A 55-year-old woman presents to your ED. She has a long history of tobacco use and was recently placed on a broad spectrum antibiotic for sinusitis



Answer:
Black Hairy Tongue
-due to hyperplasia and dark pigmentation of the tongue's filiform papillae
-predisposing factors include smoking, poor oral hygiene, antibiotic use
-the dark papillae give the tongue a black, hairy appearance
-males are more often affected than females

VizD is a weekly contest of an interesting or pathognomonic image from emergency medicine. Its goal is to integrate learning into a fun and relaxed environment. All images are original and are posted with the consent of the patient. For more information please refer to the following link.