PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE ED - , TI - BET 2: Leeches (hirudotherapy) or steroids for traumatic obstructive tongue swelling? AID - 10.1136/emermed-2013-203256.2 DP - 2013 Dec 01 TA - Emergency Medicine Journal PG - 1062--1063 VI - 30 IP - 12 4099 - http://emj.bmj.com/content/30/12/1062.short 4100 - http://emj.bmj.com/content/30/12/1062.full SO - Emerg Med J2013 Dec 01; 30 AB - A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether leeches or steroids are more effective at reducing the size of a tongue haematoma. No studies were directly relevant to the question. Several reviews and case reports were found to suggest that leeches might be effective. The clinical bottom line is that leeches should be considered in the management of obstructive traumatic tongue swelling.