Ludwig's angina is a serious, potentially life-threatening type of cellulitis that involves inflammation of the tissues of the floor of the mouth and underside of the tongue. It most often occurs in adults with concomitant dental infections and is frequently associated with abscessed teeth, infected mandibular molars and/or pericoronitis
.
The cause of Ludwig's angina is usually bacterial in nature and typically involves Actinomyces israelii and other actinomyces species. Since the advent of antibiotics, Ludwig's angina has become a rare disease.
Symptoms of Ludwig's angina include swelling, pain, raising of the tongue, swelling of the neck and the tissues of the submandibular and sublingual spaces, malaise, fever, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and, in severe cases, stridor or difficulty breathing. Airway compromise is a serious complication.
Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a very rare, typically septic, with a poor prognosis, thrombosis of the cavernous sinus, usually caused by bacterial sinusitis. Symptoms and signs include pain, proptosis, ophthalmoplegia, vision loss, papilledema, and fever.
Don't worry about memorizing the details of each of these severe complications. Just be aware of what Ludwig's angina and Cavernous sinus thrombosis are.
And yes, one more question.....
Date last modified: May 14, 2012.
Created with SoftChalk LessonBuilder