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 THREE COMPARTMENTS OF THE FLOOR OF THE MOUTH, THE SUBLINGUAL, SUBMENTAL, AND SUBMANDIBULAR. THE INFECTION IS RAPIDLY PROGRESSIVE, LEADING TO POTENTIAL AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. THE MOST COMMON ETIOLOGY IS A DENTAL INFECTION IN THE LOWER MOLARS, MAINLY SECOND AND THIRD, ACCOUNTING 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. THIS REVIEW ADDRESSES THE MANAGEMENT AND ACUTE TREATMENT OF THIS POSSIBLY LETHAL CONDITION.