Low urgency
-Very severe
Extremely severe infection of the floor of the mouth caused by bacteria present in the mouth and pharynx (oropharynx).
In most cases, the origin of the infection is dental.
The most common symptoms include fever, pain when swallowing, drooling, swelling of the neck, neck pain, redness of the neck and difficulty breathing.
The suspected diagnosis is clinical, reached through questioning and a physical examination; it is confirmed by a CT-scan.
Antibiotic treatment must be started early. It is very important to monitor the airways, which could become occluded due to inflammation.
It generally requires being admitted to the ICU for treatment and control of the possible complications.
- Anthony W Chow. Submandibular space infections (Ludwig's angina). UpToDate. Julio 2015
- Ronit Cohen-Poradosu. Infecciones por microorganismos anaerobios mixtos. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 201
- Boscolo-Rizzo P. Submandibular space infection: a potentially lethal infection. Int J Infect Dis 2009; 13:327.
- Brook I. Microbiology and principles of antimicrobial therapy for head and neck infections. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2007; 21:355.
- Patel M, Chettiar TP, Wadee AA. Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus and black-pigmented bacteroides indicate a high risk for the development of Ludwig's angina. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009; 108:667.
Dr. Patricia Sánchez
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