TY - JOUR
T1 - Ludwig’s Angina
T2 - Report of a Case and Review of the Literature
AU - Moreland, Larry W.
AU - Corey, Jacquelynne
AU - Mckenzie, Robin
PY - 1988/2
Y1 - 1988/2
N2 - In the preantibiotic era, Ludwig’s angina frequently caused asphyxiation and death. Recognized less often today, this rapidly progressive submaxillary cellulitis may still be fatal. A case associated with Haemophilus influenzae bacteremia in an adult is presented. Twelve additional cases of cellulitis of the neck in adults with H influenzae bacteremia are summarized. One hundred forty-one cases of Ludwig’s angina reported since 1945 are reviewed and compared with 315 earlier cases. In the cases reported in the antibiotic era, the mean age of the patients was 29 years. Most patients were previously healthy but had evidence of dental disease. Submandibular swelling, elevation of the tongue, fever, dysphagia, and trismus were each present in more than one half of patients. Streptococci and anaerobes were most frequently isolated from soft-tissue cultures. Untreated, this illness is fatal in one half of patients. Early recognition is therefore essential. Appropriate therapy includes maintenance of the airway, antibiotics, and surgical drainage when indicated.
AB - In the preantibiotic era, Ludwig’s angina frequently caused asphyxiation and death. Recognized less often today, this rapidly progressive submaxillary cellulitis may still be fatal. A case associated with Haemophilus influenzae bacteremia in an adult is presented. Twelve additional cases of cellulitis of the neck in adults with H influenzae bacteremia are summarized. One hundred forty-one cases of Ludwig’s angina reported since 1945 are reviewed and compared with 315 earlier cases. In the cases reported in the antibiotic era, the mean age of the patients was 29 years. Most patients were previously healthy but had evidence of dental disease. Submandibular swelling, elevation of the tongue, fever, dysphagia, and trismus were each present in more than one half of patients. Streptococci and anaerobes were most frequently isolated from soft-tissue cultures. Untreated, this illness is fatal in one half of patients. Early recognition is therefore essential. Appropriate therapy includes maintenance of the airway, antibiotics, and surgical drainage when indicated.
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U2 - 10.1001/archinte.1988.00380020205027
DO - 10.1001/archinte.1988.00380020205027
M3 - Article
C2 - 3277567
AN - SCOPUS:0023863213
SN - 0003-9926
VL - 148
SP - 461
EP - 466
JO - Archives of internal medicine
JF - Archives of internal medicine
IS - 2
ER -