CASE REPORTS   

Italian Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery 2009 August;20(2):115-19

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Two cases of disseminated necrotic mediastinitis due to odontogenic abscess

Ungari C., Filiaci F., Torre U., Calafati V., Rinna C., Agrillo A.

Department of Maxillo – Facial Surgery, University of Rome “La Sapienza” Rome, Italy

Deep neck infections are a rare but potentially fatal complication of pulpal abscess of the teeth. If an infection can progress rapidly from a toothache to a life-threatening infection, then it is critical that dentists be able to recognize the danger signs and identify the patients who are at risk. With this research we want to show the experience acquired in the MaxilloFacial ward of the General Hospital “Umberto I”, regarding two clinical cases of Disseminated Necrotizing Mediastinitis starting from an odontogenic abscess. Mediastinitis can result from a serious odontogenic abscess, and the extent of its inflammation process must be never underestimated. Dental surgeons play a key role as a correct diagnosis can prevent further increasing of the inflammation process. A late diagnosis and an inadequate draining represent the major causes of the elevated mortality rate of DNM.