Cellulitis in the Mouth Can Have Deadly Consequences
A young Australian woman in her 20s recently made headlines when her tongue turned black and she fell into a coma, narrowly escaping death. Caitlin Alsop experienced swelling and discoloration in her tongue, making it difficult for her to breathe. She sought medical help and was diagnosed with Ludwig’s angina, a severe form of cellulitis affecting the floor of the mouth. The infection had spread from an affected wisdom tooth throughout her oral cavity.
Cellulitis of the floor of the mouth is characterized by inflammation of the tissue beneath the skin in various parts of the neck, particularly the space under the chin. This type of inflammation can rapidly spread to cause an airway blockage without early symptoms, making immediate treatment crucial.
The primary causes of this condition are decayed teeth and periapical inflammation in the mandibular anterior or premolar region. Inflammation of the wisdom teeth can also lead to the spread of infection. Other factors contributing to cellulitis in the floor of the mouth include bacterial infections due to foreign objects, trauma, jaw fractures, tongue piercings, and inflammation in the sublingual gland or submandibular adenitis.
Common symptoms of cellulitis in the floor of the mouth include a swollen tongue that may resemble two tongues, throat pain and swelling, difficulty swallowing, restricted mouth movement, ear pain, drooling, fever, fatigue, and changes in consciousness. To determine the exact cause and extent of inflammation, a dental panoramic and CT scan of the neck are recommended. Infected tissue or abscesses can be cultured to identify bacteria involved in the infection.
Prompt treatment is essential to prevent airway obstruction and the possibility of death. Antibiotics and close observation are necessary after hospitalization, and in emergency situations, tracheal intubation or tracheostomy may be required. Non-purulent cellulitis can often be treated primarily with antibiotics.
As this case highlights, cellulitis in the mouth can have life-threatening consequences. It is important to seek immediate medical attention when experiencing symptoms and to prioritize oral health care to prevent the development and spread of infections.
Cellulitis, which occurs in the mouth, can lead to death
Entered 2023.09.19 10:56 View 13 Entered 2023.09.19 10:56 View 13
Floor of the mouth cellulitis refers to inflammation (cellulitis) of the tissue under the skin that occurs in the space under the chin among different parts of the neck. [사진= 게티이미지뱅크]The story of an Australian woman in her 20s whose tongue had swollen and turned black and fell into a coma but barely survived is attracting attention.
Recently, foreign media such as the New York Post presented the story of Caitlin Alsop (27), who lives in Australia, whose tongue turned black.
She felt as if she had bitten her tongue while eating, and soon her tongue swelled and closed her airway, making it difficult to breathe. Afterwards, I visited the hospital, and the anesthesiologist diagnosed me with ‘Ludwig Anzaina (cellulitis of the floor of the mouth).’ The medical staff determined that the inflammation of the affected wisdom tooth had spread throughout the mouth.
Katie Alsop’s tongue turned black. [사진= 뉴욕포스트]Floor of the mouth cellulitis refers to inflammation (cellulitis) of the tissue under the skin that occurs in the space under the chin among different parts of the neck. Previously, the throat was classified into several spaces based on its anatomical structure, and among them, inflammation in the oral cavity refers to an infection that spreads rapidly to the space just below the jaw. Inflammation in the submental space spreads very quickly and can block the airway without any early symptoms, so it is important to treat it immediately.
The main causes are tooth decay and periapical inflammation in the mandibular anterior or premolar region. As in the previous case in Australia, inflammation in the wisdom teeth can spread. In addition, bacterial infections caused by foreign bodies in the floor of the mouth, trauma, fracture of the lower jaw, piercing of the tongue, etc., and inflammation such as the sublingual gland or submandibular adenitis can spread under the jaw.
The symptoms of cellulitis of the floor of the mouth are as follows: ▲ The tongue rises upwards, making it look like two tongues (typical symptoms) ▲ Throat pain, throat swelling, throat redness, tongue swelling, difficulty swallowing, mouth movement the restricted uterus ▲Ear pain, drooling ▲Fever, tiredness, fatigue ▲Coma or Other changes in the state of consciousness, difficulty breathing, etc. However, it is best to take a dental panoramic to determine the exact cause and a CT scan of the neck to check the extent of inflammation. This is a procedure to identify bacteria by culturing infected tissue or an abscess (pus).
If edema develops, there is a possibility of death due to airway obstruction, so prompt treatment is paramount. Therefore, antibiotic treatment and close observation are required after hospitalization. In an emergency situation, tracheal intubation or tracheostomy should be performed, and if pus is not formed and is in the form of dermatitis, it can be treated mainly with antibiotics.
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