Phlegmon of the face and neck: a case report

Minerva Stomatol. 2009 May;58(5):233-45.

Abstract

Deep face and neck infections are potentially life threatening if they are not diagnosed in time and then treated quickly. This report describes a case of face and deep neck infection, associated with a semi-impacted and decayed wisdom tooth in a cardiopathic, immunosuppressed patient suffering from, diabetes, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, breathlessness, chronic bronchitis, with oral, cutaneous and vaginal erythematous lichen, Cushing's Syndrome, penicillin allergy, subjected to past hypophysectomy. The swelling was, first of all, treated in urgency, with an intravenous antibiotic therapy and, immediately afterwards, the phlegmonous infiltration linked to the avulsion of the lower third molar was surgically drained. The patient was then treated with intravenous multiple antibiotics, with the aim of eradicating the predominating bacteria that was encountered in the microbiological culture test. A complete remission of the pathological picture was obtained .

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Ceftriaxone / therapeutic use
  • Cellulitis / drug therapy
  • Cellulitis / etiology*
  • Cellulitis / pathology
  • Cellulitis / surgery
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Comorbidity
  • Emergencies
  • Face
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Mediastinitis / drug therapy
  • Mediastinitis / etiology
  • Mediastinitis / surgery
  • Molar, Third*
  • Myositis / drug therapy
  • Myositis / etiology
  • Myositis / surgery
  • Neck
  • Periodontal Abscess / complications*
  • Periodontal Abscess / drug therapy
  • Periodontal Abscess / surgery
  • Streptococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / etiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / pathology
  • Streptococcal Infections / surgery
  • Tooth Extraction
  • Tooth, Impacted / complications*
  • Tooth, Impacted / surgery

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ceftriaxone