Ludwig's angina: Difference between revisions

 
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== Background ==
==Background==
*Bilateral infection of submandibular and sublingual spaces
*Bilateral infection of submental, submandibular, and sublingual spaces
*85% of cases arise from an odontogenic source, usually mandibular molars  
*[[Cellulitis]] without clear fluctuance/[[abscess]] should heighten suspicion
**Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacteroides are pathogens
*85% of cases arise from an odontogenic source, usually [[periapical abscess]]es of mandibular molars
*Patients usually 20-60yr, male predominance  
*Source of infection often polymicrobial, most commonly [[Strep]], [[Staphylococcus]], and [[Bacteroides]] species
*Intubation may be very difficult
*Patients usually 20-60yr; male predominance <ref>Buckley M, O’Connor K.  Ludwig’s angina in a 76-year-old man.  Emerg Med J. 2009;26:679-680</ref>
*Often there is no lymphatic involvement and no [[abscess]] formation but infection rapidly spreads bilaterally


== Clinical Features ==
==Clinical Features==
*Dysphagia
[[File:Ludwig angina.jpg|thumb|Swelling in the submandibular area in a person with Ludwig's angina.]]
[[File:Ludwigs_submandibular.jpeg|thumb|Significant submandibular swelling and discoloration typical in Ludwig's Angina]]
===Early Signs===
*[[Dysphagia]]
*Odynophagia
*Odynophagia
*Trismus
*Trismus
*Edema of upper midline neck and floor of mouth
*Edema of upper midline neck and floor of mouth
*Late signs
**Raised tongue
**Stridor, drooling, cyanosis
*"Woody" or brawny texture to floor of mouth with visible swelling and erythema


== Diagnosis ==
===Late signs===
*CT face with contrast
*[[Stridor]]
**Only obtain if diagnosis is question
*Drooling
**Pt may lose airway in scanner lies flat
*Tongue protrusion
*Trismus
*[[Dysphonia]]
*Cyanosis
*Acute laryngospasm


==Treatment==
===Complications===
*Emergent ENT consult for I&D
*Carotid sheath infection
*Abx
*IJ thrombophlebitis ([[Lemierre's Disease]])
**Must cover typical oral flora
*[[Mediastinitis]]
**Usually third gen cehpalosporin with clindamycin or flagyl
*[[Empyema]]
*Awake intubation
*[[Pericardial effusion]]
*[[Pleural effusion]]
*Mandibular [[osteomyelitis]]
*Subphrenic [[abscess]]
*[[aspiration pneumonia and pneumonitis|Aspiration pneumonia]]
*[[Cavernous sinus thrombosis]]
*[[Brain abscess]]
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Acute sore throat DDX}}
 
==Evaluation==
*Clinical diagnosis, based on history and physical exam.
*CT face with contrast will help delineate area of infection
**Only necessary to obtain imaging if diagnosis is in question - imaging should not delay emergent airway management or transfer to OR for definitive care
**Be aware of possibility of respiratory distress/airway compromise with laying flat for CT scan
*CBC
*Chem
*[[Lactate]]
*Blood Cultures
 
==Management==
*Emergent ENT or OMFS consult for operative I&D and extraction of dentition if source is dental abscess
===Airway Management===
*[[Intubation]] may be very difficult due to trismus and posterior pharyngeal extension
*Preference for an awake fiberoptic [[intubation]] (ideally in OR if time allows) with setup immediately available for [[cricothyrotomy]]
===Antibiotics===
{{Ludwig's Antibiotics}}


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
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==See Also==
==See Also==
#PTA
*[[Peritonsillar Abscess (PTA)]]
#Retropharyngeal Abscess
*[[Retropharyngeal abscess]]
#Pharyngitis
*[[Sore throat]]
 
==Video==
{{#widget:YouTube|id=qVn3jagukiw}}


==Source==
==References==
*Tintinalli
<references/>
*ER Atlas


[[Category:Peds]]
[[Category:ENT]]
[[Category:ENT]]
[[category:ID]]

Latest revision as of 16:32, 25 March 2021

Background

  • Bilateral infection of submental, submandibular, and sublingual spaces
  • Cellulitis without clear fluctuance/abscess should heighten suspicion
  • 85% of cases arise from an odontogenic source, usually periapical abscesses of mandibular molars
  • Source of infection often polymicrobial, most commonly Strep, Staphylococcus, and Bacteroides species
  • Patients usually 20-60yr; male predominance [1]
  • Often there is no lymphatic involvement and no abscess formation but infection rapidly spreads bilaterally

Clinical Features

Swelling in the submandibular area in a person with Ludwig's angina.
Significant submandibular swelling and discoloration typical in Ludwig's Angina

Early Signs

  • Dysphagia
  • Odynophagia
  • Trismus
  • Edema of upper midline neck and floor of mouth
    • Raised tongue
  • "Woody" or brawny texture to floor of mouth with visible swelling and erythema

Late signs

  • Stridor
  • Drooling
  • Tongue protrusion
  • Trismus
  • Dysphonia
  • Cyanosis
  • Acute laryngospasm

Complications

Differential Diagnosis

Acute Sore Throat

Bacterial infections

Viral infections

Noninfectious

Other

Evaluation

  • Clinical diagnosis, based on history and physical exam.
  • CT face with contrast will help delineate area of infection
    • Only necessary to obtain imaging if diagnosis is in question - imaging should not delay emergent airway management or transfer to OR for definitive care
    • Be aware of possibility of respiratory distress/airway compromise with laying flat for CT scan
  • CBC
  • Chem
  • Lactate
  • Blood Cultures

Management

  • Emergent ENT or OMFS consult for operative I&D and extraction of dentition if source is dental abscess

Airway Management

  • Intubation may be very difficult due to trismus and posterior pharyngeal extension
  • Preference for an awake fiberoptic intubation (ideally in OR if time allows) with setup immediately available for cricothyrotomy

Antibiotics

  • Must cover typical polymicrobial oral flora and tailored based on patient's immune status
  • Most commonly a 3rd generation cehpalosporin + (clindamycin or metronidazole)
  • If the patient is immuncompromised, the antibiotics need to also cover MRSA and gram-negative rods[3]

Immunocompetent Host[4]

Immunocompromised[5]

Disposition

  • Admit, usually ICU for airway monitoring

See Also

Video

{{#widget:YouTube|id=qVn3jagukiw}}

References

  1. Buckley M, O’Connor K. Ludwig’s angina in a 76-year-old man. Emerg Med J. 2009;26:679-680
  2. Melio, Frantz, and Laurel Berge. “Upper Respiratory Tract Infection.” In Rosen’s Emergency Medicine., 8th ed. Vol. 1, n.d.
  3. Costain N, Marrie T. Ludwig’s Angina. American Journal of Medicine. Feb 2011. 124(2): 115-117
  4. Barton E, Blair A. Ludwig’s Angina. J Emerg Med. 2008. 34(2): 163-169.
  5. Spitalnic SJ, Sucov A. Ludwig's angina: case report and review. J Emerg Med. 1995;13:499-503