LUDWIG ANGINA

Course overview

LUDWIG'S ANGINA IS LIFE-THREATENING CELLULITIS OF THE SOFT TISSUE INVOLVING THE FLOOR OF THE MOUTH AND NECK. IT INVOLVES TWO COMPARTMENTS ON THE FLOOR OF THE MOUTH NAMELY SUBLINGUAL AND SUBMAXILLARY SPACE. THE INFECTION IS RAPIDLY PROGRESSIVE LEADING TO POTENTIAL AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. THE MOST COMMON CAUSE IS DENTAL DISEASE IN THE LOWER MOLARS MAINLY SECOND AND THIRD WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR OVER 90% OF CASES. ANY RECENT INFECTION OR INJURY TO THE AREA MAY PREDISPOSE THE PATIENT TO DEVELOP LUDWIG'S ANGINA. PREDISPOSING FACTORS INCLUDE DIABETES, ORAL MALIGNANCY, DENTAL CARIES, ALCOHOLISM, MALNUTRITION, AND IMMUNOCOMPROMISED STATUS. WHILE TRUE LUDWIG'S ANGINA IS RARE, ITS RAPID PROGRESSION TO LIFE-THREATENING AIRWAY COMPROMISE MAKES IT A TOPIC IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PATIENTS WITH PERIODONTAL DISEASE. THIS REVIEW ADDRESSES THE MANAGEMENT AND ACUTE TREATMENT OF THIS LIFE-THREATENING CONDITION.