Successful conservative management of Ludwig's angina in advanced pregnancy. 2009

Roxana Soltero, and Joanna Mercado-Alvarado
Department of Emergency Medicine, UPR School of Medicine, Puerto Rico Health Science Center, San Juan PR.

A 20 year-old female in her 32nd week of gestation presented to the Emergency Department with dysphonia and dysphagia associated to a recent recurrence of a periapical abscess. Her oral examination showed trismus, elevated tongue and neck swelling. A clinical diagnosis of Ludwig's angina was reached, and empirical antibiotic coverage was started. The decompression and drainage placement was performed successfully under local anesthesia without airway compromise. At the moment, no clear guidelines exist for the acute treatment of Ludwig's angina. Establishment of a secure airway has long been considered the gold standard, yet new literature suggests a more conservative management. Ascertaining an early diagnosis at the Emergency Department, and involvement of Anesthesia, Obstetrics, and, Ear, Nose and Throat specialist services is vital for materno-fetal wellbeing. Careful evaluation of the airway status in addition to prompt antimicrobial therapy with surgical decompression may represent a plausible alternative in pregnant patients.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008158 Ludwig's Angina Severe cellulitis of the submaxillary space with secondary involvement of the perimandibular spaces. It usually results from infection in the lower molar area or from an infection following a penetrating injury to the MOUTH FLOOR. Submandibular Space Infection,Angina, Ludwig's,Ludwig Angina,Ludwigs Angina,Submandibular Space Infections
D010102 Oxygen Inhalation Therapy Inhalation of oxygen aimed at restoring toward normal any pathophysiologic alterations of gas exchange in the cardiopulmonary system, as by the use of a respirator, nasal catheter, tent, chamber, or mask. (From Dorland, 27th ed & Stedman, 25th ed) Inhalation Therapy, Oxygen,Therapy, Oxygen Inhalation,Inhalation Therapies, Oxygen,Oxygen Inhalation Therapies,Therapies, Oxygen Inhalation
D010348 Patient Care Team Care of patients by a multidisciplinary team usually organized under the leadership of a physician; each member of the team has specific responsibilities and the whole team contributes to the care of the patient. Health Care Team,Interdisciplinary Health Team,Medical Care Team,Multidisciplinary Care Team,Multidisciplinary Health Team,Healthcare Team,Care Team, Health,Care Team, Medical,Care Team, Multidisciplinary,Care Team, Patient,Care Teams, Health,Care Teams, Patient,Health Care Teams,Health Team, Interdisciplinary,Health Team, Multidisciplinary,Healthcare Teams,Interdisciplinary Health Teams,Medical Care Teams,Multidisciplinary Care Teams,Multidisciplinary Health Teams,Patient Care Teams,Team, Health Care,Team, Healthcare,Team, Interdisciplinary Health,Team, Medical Care,Team, Multidisciplinary Care,Team, Multidisciplinary Health,Team, Patient Care,Teams, Interdisciplinary Health
D010482 Periapical Abscess Acute or chronic inflammation of tissues surrounding the apical portion of a tooth, associated with the collection of pus, resulting from infection following pulp infection through a carious lesion or as a result of an injury causing pulp necrosis. (Dorland, 27th ed) Abscess, Periapical,Alveolar Abscess, Apical,Dentoalveolar Abscess, Apical,Periapical Periodontitis, Suppurative,Periodontitis, Apical, Suppurative,Abscess, Apical Alveolar,Abscess, Apical Dentoalveolar,Abscesses, Apical Alveolar,Abscesses, Apical Dentoalveolar,Abscesses, Periapical,Alveolar Abscesses, Apical,Apical Alveolar Abscess,Apical Alveolar Abscesses,Apical Dentoalveolar Abscess,Apical Dentoalveolar Abscesses,Dentoalveolar Abscesses, Apical,Periapical Abscesses,Periapical Periodontitides, Suppurative,Periodontitides, Suppurative Periapical,Periodontitis, Suppurative Periapical,Suppurative Periapical Periodontitides,Suppurative Periapical Periodontitis
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011248 Pregnancy Complications Conditions or pathological processes associated with pregnancy. They can occur during or after pregnancy, and range from minor discomforts to serious diseases that require medical interventions. They include diseases in pregnant females, and pregnancies in females with diseases. Adverse Birth Outcomes,Complications, Pregnancy,Adverse Birth Outcome,Birth Outcome, Adverse,Complication, Pregnancy,Outcome, Adverse Birth,Pregnancy Complication
D011263 Pregnancy Trimester, Third The last third of a human PREGNANCY, from the beginning of the 29th through the 42nd completed week (197 to 294 days) of gestation. Pregnancy, Third Trimester,Trimester, Third,Last Trimester,Last Trimesters,Pregnancies, Third Trimester,Pregnancy Trimesters, Third,Third Pregnancy Trimester,Third Pregnancy Trimesters,Third Trimester,Third Trimester Pregnancies,Third Trimester Pregnancy,Third Trimesters,Trimester, Last,Trimesters, Last,Trimesters, Third
D002981 Clindamycin An antibacterial agent that is a semisynthetic analog of LINCOMYCIN. 7-Chloro-7-deoxylincomycin,Chlolincocin,Chlorlincocin,Cleocin,Clindamycin Hydrochloride,Clindamycin Monohydrochloride,Clindamycin Monohydrochloride, Monohydrate,Dalacin C,7 Chloro 7 deoxylincomycin,Hydrochloride, Clindamycin,Monohydrate Clindamycin Monohydrochloride,Monohydrochloride, Clindamycin,Monohydrochloride, Monohydrate Clindamycin
D003131 Combined Modality Therapy The treatment of a disease or condition by several different means simultaneously or sequentially. Chemoimmunotherapy, RADIOIMMUNOTHERAPY, chemoradiotherapy, cryochemotherapy, and SALVAGE THERAPY are seen most frequently, but their combinations with each other and surgery are also used. Multimodal Treatment,Therapy, Combined Modality,Combined Modality Therapies,Modality Therapies, Combined,Modality Therapy, Combined,Multimodal Treatments,Therapies, Combined Modality,Treatment, Multimodal,Treatments, Multimodal
D004322 Drainage The removal of fluids or discharges from the body, such as from a wound, sore, or cavity.

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