CASE REPORTS   

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

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Phlegmon of the face and neck: a case report

Pappalardo S., Carlino V., Astuto M.

Department of Medical-Surgical Specialties Policlinic Hospital “Gaspare Rodolico” Catania Oral Science Section II Anesthesiology and Reanimation Section University of Catania, Catania, Italy

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 toothin a cardiopathic, immunosuppressant 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 .