LUDWIG’S ANGINA

LUDWIG’S ANGINA

• Dental infection or spread of suppuration from another area.

• General: Fever, malaise, irritability, airway obstruction, and severe pain.
• Local:

1. External swelling: submandibular with signs of acute inflammation with cervical lymph node enlargement.

2. Internal swelling: edema of the mucosa – elevation of the floor of the mouth – protrusion of the tongue.
3. Trismus, dysphagia – salivation – change of voice.

1. Laryngeal edema ® suffocation.
2. Spread to other spaces.

• All cases should be hospitalized. Initial therapy in the early stages is tried with aggressive parenteral broad spectrum antibiotics, hydration and analgesics.

• Surgical drainage is required in most of the cases. This is done through an external submandibular incision below and parallel to the body of the mandible.

• Tracheostomy in case of laryngeal obstruction.

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