Houston doctor trying to figure out why some COVID-19 patients develop massively enlarged tongues Doctors believe there might be something about the virus that is making certain people more prone to the rare condition. Author: Stephanie Whitfield Updated: 2:40 PM CDT May 21, 2021 HOUSTON — Doctors in Houston are trying to figure out why a handful of people hospitalized with COVID-19 develop massively enlarged tongues. The condition is called macroglossia. It makes it impossible for patients to eat and talk. Dr. James Melville with the UTHealth School of Dentistry has become a specialist in dealing with the condition. He has performed surgeries to help patients regain use of their tongues.